The Cardinals continue to miss Ryan Ludwick's bat. Considering he was the team's best hitter with runners in scoring position, his absence has been noticed. Jon Jay, Brendan Ryan, and Matt Holliday were the only players to get hits. Holliday's double in the 9th inning was the only extra base hit by the Cards. Last night, I was willing to give Astros' starting pitcher J.A. Happ some credit, since he only gave up two hits, and pitched a complete game shut out. So it might be appropriate to give tonight's starting pitcher for the Astros, Wandy Rodriguez, the same credit. But I'm not going to do that, because I don't think those pitchers are that talented, I just think the Cardinals' offense is THAT bad right now.
Overall, Cardinals' starting pitcher Chris Carpenter had a solid outing. In seven innings he gave up 6 hits, and kept the Astros in check for the most part. But in a sloppy 3rd inning, Hunter Pence hit a triple off of Carpenter with two runners on. The triple was somewhat of a blooper, as it landed on top of that ridiculous center-field hill in Minute Maid Park. Instead of the ball rolling back down the hill (or bouncing off the wall, if it was a normal park), the ball stayed put at the top of the hill, until Colby Rasmus was able to retrieve it. The Astros scored 3 runs that inning (3rd), but only two of those runs went down as earned runs for Carpenter.
About a month ago (maybe longer), most Cardinal fans were looking forward to the playoffs, because there was just no way a team this talented wouldn't make it. But now, the upcoming off-season is becoming the main topic of discussion amongst Cardinal fans.
Hopefully, General Manager John Mozeliak feels some pressure to make some solid moves, and increase the payroll. He's going to have to do something, if not for the fans, then for Albert Pujols. If Pujols doesn't sense any urgency to improve the team, then why would he stay in St.Louis?
But the worst thing that can happen this off-season is nothing. If Mozeliak pretends that they have all of the pieces, but they just under-performed, then the Cardinals are in trouble. Another mistake Mozeliak could possibly make is acquiring another worthless player, and pretend it is an answer (Westbrook). But as fans, all we can do is hope that they figure something out. A real third-baseman that actually wants to play baseball, and a middle-infielder who can actually hit (Dan Uggla?) would be a start.
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Rams WR becomes dangerously thin, losing two more after Avery
Rams WR Keenan Burton has a history of knee problems. Burton was the Rams' 5th round draft pick in 2008, and he has not been able to stay healthy for a significant amount of time since entering the league. His latest injury (swollen knee) will likely keep him sidelined against Baltimore, and should force the Rams management to question whether or not he will ever be healthy.
The Rams current #1 WR, Laurent Robinson, is also being held out of practice due to a mid-foot sprain. It is questionable if he will be ready for the Baltimore preseason game.
With Burton and Robinson sidelined, the Rams receiving core is now dangerously thin, especially since their top receiver, Donnie Avery, tore his ACL against New England, and will be out for the entire 2010 season. With Burton and Robinson down, the Rams are left with Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson, and Mardy Gilyard as the starting receivers; and back-ups Brandon McRae, Dominique Curry, Denario Alexander, and Jordan Kent remain on the roster.
San Diego Chargers star WR Vincent Jackson is possibly available for trade. But obtaining Jackson would require trading draft picks, paying him a big contract, and dealing with his 3-game suspension. Jackson is currently holding out, demanding that the Chargers to offer him a larger contract.
The Rams current #1 WR, Laurent Robinson, is also being held out of practice due to a mid-foot sprain. It is questionable if he will be ready for the Baltimore preseason game.
With Burton and Robinson sidelined, the Rams receiving core is now dangerously thin, especially since their top receiver, Donnie Avery, tore his ACL against New England, and will be out for the entire 2010 season. With Burton and Robinson down, the Rams are left with Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson, and Mardy Gilyard as the starting receivers; and back-ups Brandon McRae, Dominique Curry, Denario Alexander, and Jordan Kent remain on the roster.
San Diego Chargers star WR Vincent Jackson is possibly available for trade. But obtaining Jackson would require trading draft picks, paying him a big contract, and dealing with his 3-game suspension. Jackson is currently holding out, demanding that the Chargers to offer him a larger contract.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Cardinals continue losing streak, losing to the Astros 3-0
The Cardinals continue to fall, losing to the Astros 3-0 at Minute Maid Field, in Houston. The season's outcome continues to look very grim for the Cardinals. The Astros' first run came off a blooper pop-fly that landed on the right-field foul line. Other than that, the offense for both teams was quiet; until the Astros scored 2 runs in the 7th inning.
Jake Westbrook had one of his better starts as a Cardinal, but he still gave up 9 hits and 3 runs (all earned). He just couldn't compete with J.A. Happ, who had a phenomenal 2 hit outing, shutting out the Cardinals. The only other pitcher to play, between both teams, was the Cardinals' reliever Mitchell Boggs. Boggs had a good one inning appearance, getting a strike-out, and giving up 0 hits.
The Cardinals offense was non-existent. Randy Winn, and Yadier Molina, were the only Cardinals to get a hit. So far, when the bats come alive, the pitching is awful; and when the pitching is decent, the bats are nowhere to be found. That is the story of the 2010 Cardinals. And, unless they can sweep the Cincinnati Reds at home, and have a red hot month in September, the Cardinals season will be over.
Jake Westbrook had one of his better starts as a Cardinal, but he still gave up 9 hits and 3 runs (all earned). He just couldn't compete with J.A. Happ, who had a phenomenal 2 hit outing, shutting out the Cardinals. The only other pitcher to play, between both teams, was the Cardinals' reliever Mitchell Boggs. Boggs had a good one inning appearance, getting a strike-out, and giving up 0 hits.
The Cardinals offense was non-existent. Randy Winn, and Yadier Molina, were the only Cardinals to get a hit. So far, when the bats come alive, the pitching is awful; and when the pitching is decent, the bats are nowhere to be found. That is the story of the 2010 Cardinals. And, unless they can sweep the Cincinnati Reds at home, and have a red hot month in September, the Cardinals season will be over.
Rams trade Davis
The St.Louis Rams traded DE Hall Davis to the Washington Redskins for rookie TE/FB Dennis Morris. But the trade was actually structured like this: Rams send Davis to Washington in exchange for a conditional draft pick; and Washington sends Morris to St.Louis in exchange for a conditional draft pick. Meaning if one of the players exceeds expectations, then their former team will get better compensation (the "conditional draft pick" is determined by the players' performance).
This is likely bad news for the Rams FB Mike Karney. Karney was a pro-bowl full-back for the New Orleans Saints, but was cut by New Orleans during the 2009 off-season; he was then signed by the Rams. Karney has not been very dependable for the Rams. He was slowed down by injury during the 2009 season, but he was a poor lead-blocker when he was playing. Karney also had trouble catching the ball.
This is likely bad news for the Rams FB Mike Karney. Karney was a pro-bowl full-back for the New Orleans Saints, but was cut by New Orleans during the 2009 off-season; he was then signed by the Rams. Karney has not been very dependable for the Rams. He was slowed down by injury during the 2009 season, but he was a poor lead-blocker when he was playing. Karney also had trouble catching the ball.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Cardinals continue to slip, losing to Washington 4-2
The Cardinals scored only 2 runs on the afternoon. 3B Pedro Feliz was able to hit a HR in the 9th inning, inspiring a comeback effort that got Yadier Molina on base, and brought Colby Rasmus to the plate for his first at-bat since his injury; Rasmus represented the tying run, but he failed to take advantage, striking out for the third out.
Matt Holliday, Molina, and Feliz, all had multiple hits. Outfielder Jon Jay had an RBI, and Feliz got the only other RBI for the Cardinals, from his HR in the 9th.
Starting Pitcher Adam Wainwright failed to get his 18th win of the season. He gave up two runs in both the 2nd, and 3rd innings. He pitched for 5 innings, giving up 6 hits, and 4 runs (all earned) including a HR. He also had 7 SO on the day, and his ERA remains respectable at 2.30.
The 9th inning drama should fire up the team. The key word there being "should", I think it will take a lot more than that to get this team going. I am referring to Washington Nationals' base-runners- last night, Nyger Morgan violently "bulldozed" into Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson. And today, another base-runner did the same to SS Brendan Ryan. This caused speculation that a 9th inning wild pitch, by Nationals pitcher Drew Storen to Matt Holliday, nearly hitting Holliday, might have been intentional. This cause manager Tony LaRussa to get into a heated argument with the umpires. But unfortunately, just like the Brandon Phillips incident, nothing seems to effectively inspire this team.
Matt Holliday, Molina, and Feliz, all had multiple hits. Outfielder Jon Jay had an RBI, and Feliz got the only other RBI for the Cardinals, from his HR in the 9th.
Starting Pitcher Adam Wainwright failed to get his 18th win of the season. He gave up two runs in both the 2nd, and 3rd innings. He pitched for 5 innings, giving up 6 hits, and 4 runs (all earned) including a HR. He also had 7 SO on the day, and his ERA remains respectable at 2.30.
The 9th inning drama should fire up the team. The key word there being "should", I think it will take a lot more than that to get this team going. I am referring to Washington Nationals' base-runners- last night, Nyger Morgan violently "bulldozed" into Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson. And today, another base-runner did the same to SS Brendan Ryan. This caused speculation that a 9th inning wild pitch, by Nationals pitcher Drew Storen to Matt Holliday, nearly hitting Holliday, might have been intentional. This cause manager Tony LaRussa to get into a heated argument with the umpires. But unfortunately, just like the Brandon Phillips incident, nothing seems to effectively inspire this team.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Cardinals get blown out by Washington Nationals 14-5
The St.Louis Cardinals, supposedly a "play-off contender", continue to make the Washington Nationals (one of the worst teams in baseball) look like the New York Yankees. They lost 14-5 in Washington.
The game really fell apart when Mike 'The Twig' McDougal continued to pitch in the 8th inning. McDougal has absolutely no business pitching in the Major Leagues. He gave up 6 runs (4 earned) in the 8th inning, including 5 hits, and a HR. He raised his ERA to 7.15. Relief pitcher Jason Motte needs to return, or else the Cardinals are in big trouble.
Starting Pitcher Kyle Lohse gave up 11 hits, 8 runs (all earned), and raised his ERA to 7.12. Even though he is trying to return from an injury, he is still showing Cardinal Nation that he was a terrible signing. With the payroll as thin as it is, from paying Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, the team can absolutely not afford to waste money on an overpaid, has-been, junk pitcher like Kyle Lohse.
On the offensive side, Jon Jay hit a HR in the 1st inning. Pujols, Lohse, and Lopez all had RBI's as well. Skip Schumaker was the only Cardinal to have multiple hits on the night.
Unless this team can sweep the Reds again, at home, and carry that momentum for the rest of the season, then the playoffs are a pipe-dream. General Manager John Mozeliak better get real busy this off-season, because the fans of St.Louis expect, and deserve much better than this pathetic excuse of a team.
The game really fell apart when Mike 'The Twig' McDougal continued to pitch in the 8th inning. McDougal has absolutely no business pitching in the Major Leagues. He gave up 6 runs (4 earned) in the 8th inning, including 5 hits, and a HR. He raised his ERA to 7.15. Relief pitcher Jason Motte needs to return, or else the Cardinals are in big trouble.
Starting Pitcher Kyle Lohse gave up 11 hits, 8 runs (all earned), and raised his ERA to 7.12. Even though he is trying to return from an injury, he is still showing Cardinal Nation that he was a terrible signing. With the payroll as thin as it is, from paying Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, the team can absolutely not afford to waste money on an overpaid, has-been, junk pitcher like Kyle Lohse.
On the offensive side, Jon Jay hit a HR in the 1st inning. Pujols, Lohse, and Lopez all had RBI's as well. Skip Schumaker was the only Cardinal to have multiple hits on the night.
Unless this team can sweep the Reds again, at home, and carry that momentum for the rest of the season, then the playoffs are a pipe-dream. General Manager John Mozeliak better get real busy this off-season, because the fans of St.Louis expect, and deserve much better than this pathetic excuse of a team.
Rams 2010 Season Prediction
If someone asked me how many games the Rams are going to win in 2010, I would probably give one of two answers. My pessimistic side would say "2-4 wins", and my optimistic side would say "5-8 wins, due to their easy schedule". But surprisingly, when I look at the season one game at a time, it is easy to lean towards the optimistic side. They play seven games against teams that had five wins or less in 2009 (Seattle twice, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Washington, Detroit, and Oakland). And they play four games against teams that are clearly on the decline (Arizona twice, Denver, and Carolina).
I don't think the Rams are going to have a miraculous comeback season, and make the playoffs, like the '07 Atlanta Falcons, or the '08 Miami Dolphins. But their schedule definitely doesn't hurt their chances. There is a good chance the Rams will be drafting in the top 10 again in the 2011 draft, but I don't think it will be in the top 5 this time (which might put them in a perfect spot to draft Georgia WR AJ Green, but that's another story). So here is my prediction for each game in the 2010 season:
WEEK 1 VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS- WIN
The Rams start off at home against the Cardinals. Both teams will come ready to play, given it's the opener, but the Rams have the home field advantage. Expect the Dome to be a factor; with Sam Bradford's debut, and the buzz surrounding the team after beating the Patriots, it should be a stadium full of Rams Fans.
Arizona is not the same team from the last two seasons (and even those teams were not dominant during the regular season). They have two mediocre options at QB (Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson), and they aren't sure which one will be the starter. WR Anquan Boldin is gone, making double coverage on Larry Fitzgerald an option (Fitzgerald has already struggled against CB Ron Bartell alone). They will have to rely on their running game, and so far in the preseason, the Rams defense has been dominant against the run. And we saw how weak Arizona's defense can be, when they played Green Bay and New Orleans in the playoffs. So I think the Rams take the 'W' opening day.
WEEK 2 @ OAKLAND RAIDERS- LOSS
The Rams will be on the road in Oakland, against a team with a good defense. Raiders QB Jason Campbell is much better than JaMarcus Russell, and Campbell will have some weapons at his disposal that he didn't have last season in Washington (McFadden, Heyward-Bey, Zach Miller). I don't think the Raiders have a completely better team than the Rams; but they have a better defense, and they have the home field advantage. I think this will be a circumstantial loss.
WEEK 3 VS. WASHINGTON REDSKINS- WIN
The Rams have played the Redskins in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, the Redskins were one of two teams that the Rams beat. And in 2009, they lost in the final seconds of the game. I think the 2010 Rams have the talent to finish the job with ease this time around. And I'm not buying into ESPN, I don't believe that the Redskins are suddenly a contender in the NFC East just because they added Donavon McNabb. I think McNabb will be under the same pressure from the pass rush that Jason Campbell was in '09. I'm not buying it, the Rams take this game, especially since they are at home.
WEEK 4 VS. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- WIN
The Rams have not beat the Seattle Seahawks since the playoffs in 2004. That's pretty pathetic actually. But the Seahawks continue to get worse, and the Rams have built a pretty solid foundation. I think the Seahawks are more like the Rams of 2007; they are on their way down, and the current Rams are on their way up. I think this time, at home, the Rams finally beat Seattle; and they start off the season 3-1.
WEEK 5 @ DETROIT LIONS- LOSS
Some people might disagree with this prediction, but I think the Lions pull off this win. The Lions were the only team the Rams beat in 2009, but I think the Lions get their revenge. The Lions have possibly the most talented WR in the league in Calvin Johnson, and he will give the Rams' weak defensive backfield trouble. The Lions also have other weapons on offense, like TE Brandon Pettigrew, WR Nate Burleson, and explosive rookie RB Jahvid Best. And a defensive line featuring Kyle VandenBosch and Ndamukong Suh could give the Rams o-line some trouble.
WEEK 6 VS. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS- LOSS
San Diego has a very powerful offense that is capable of putting up points. They do have some question marks on defense, but I don't think it matters. San Diego is a playoff team, and possibly even a Super Bowl threat. The Rams are just not at that point yet. Even if it is a home game, I don't see the Rams pulling off a win this week.
WEEK 7 @ TAMPA BAY BUCS- WIN
Tampa Bay is a very weak team. Second year QB Josh Freeman did not have a very promising rookie performance, and I think he continues to struggle in his second year. RB Cadillac Williams is a shadow of his rookie form, and #2 RB Derrick Ward has been extremely disappointing so far for the Bucs. The Bucs had a good draft, obtaining DT Gerald McCoy, DT Brian Price, WR Arrelious Benn, and WR Mike Williams. They have some young talent to build on, but I think the Rams have the means to dominate the Bucs.
WEEK8 VS CAROLINA PANTHERS- LOSS
They are not the same Carolina Panthers that went to the Super Bowl. The lost QB Jake Delhomme, and Steve Smith is not the dominating WR he use to be. But Delhomme's replacement, Matt Moore, was 4-1 as a starter when he stepped in (beating both New Orleans and Minnesota). I think this has potential to be a very close game. But I think that ultimately Carolina will pull of a victory.
WEEK 9 BYE
WEEK 10 @ SAN FRANCISCO- LOSS
San Francisco is the favorite to win the division. They have a defense that will potentially be one of the best in the league. I think their weakness is QB Alex Smith, and I think that QB should have been their first priority this past off-season, especially with Donovan McNabb and Jason Campbell available. But they still have weapons on offense in Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis. The 49ers have been rebuilding for a long time, and they are finally ready. I don't think the Rams can compete with the 49ers until 2011 at the very earliest.
WEEK 11 VS ATLANTA FALCONS- LOSS
Atlanta, much like Carolina, is a team that I think the Rams could possibly upset. But Atlanta has Michael Turner and Roddy White on offense, with a solid QB in Matt Ryan. The Falcons don't have a very strong defense (ranked 21st in 2009), but I think that their offense will be just a little too much for the Rams in week 11.
WEEK 12 @ DENVER BRONCOS- WIN
I just don't agree with the moves head coach Josh McDaniels has made for the Broncos. The team failed to make the playoffs last season, so McDaniels responded by letting go of their best offensive player in Brandon Marshall, and dropped a solid TE in Tony Scheffler. Bronco fans must be going crazy. Hopefully, by week 12, Josh McDaniels will go completely insane, and decide to start Tim Tebow at QB. That would seal the deal for the Rams. McDaniels destroyed this team, and I think it will show in 2010.
WEEK 13 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS- LOSS
This is where Arizona gets their revenge for week 1. They will be at home, and whichever QB they choose will probably be much more comfortable with the offense by week 13. The Rams also have thin depth, and I think that will begin to show by week 13.
WEEK 14 @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- LOSS
New Orleans has a pass happy offense, and the Rams secondary is pretty weak. I think the reigning Super Bowl champs pull of a win, and expose the Rams defensive backfield all day. The Rams had a pretty good showing against New Orleans in 2009, keeping the game close through the first half, but I think the outcome will be the same as it was in '09.
WEEK 15 VS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- WIN
The Chiefs were 11th in the NFL in rushing. And the addition of RB Thomas Jones can only help. Jones will probably take the majority of the carries, and share time with Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs currently lead the NFL in average rushing yards per game, for the preseason. However, they were 25th in the NFL in passing offense in 2009. So given their lack of a passing offense, and the way the Rams defense has been playing against the run, I don't see the Chiefs offense over powering the Rams in any way. The Chiefs have a lot of potential on defense in Eric Berry, Tyson Jackson, Glenn Dorsey; and some proven veterans in Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. But despite the potential they have on 'D', the Chiefs defense was ranked 30th in total yards allowed, which was even worse than the Rams last year (29th). I don't think Matt Cassel is the answer for them at QB, and their defense is too young to flourish. The only thing they have going for them is their running game, but that's not enough to win on the road against the Rams.
WEEK 16 SAN FRANSISCO 49ER'S- LOSS
Again, the 49ers are a very strong team, and have the talent to have a top defense in the league. Mix that with their offensive weapons (Davis, Gore, Crabtree), and the Rams won't beat this team, even in St.Louis. The only way the Rams win this game is if the 49ers have clinched home field advantage (in the playoffs) at this point, and bench their starters.
WEEK 17 @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- WIN
The Seahawks are trying to put band-aids over major wounds, but they need a complete makeover. The Seahawks are on the decline, and the Rams are on the rise. I see the Ram rolling over them in 2010, and I think we will see the Rams end the season on a high note.
FINAL RECORD: 7-9
I don't think the Rams are going to have a miraculous comeback season, and make the playoffs, like the '07 Atlanta Falcons, or the '08 Miami Dolphins. But their schedule definitely doesn't hurt their chances. There is a good chance the Rams will be drafting in the top 10 again in the 2011 draft, but I don't think it will be in the top 5 this time (which might put them in a perfect spot to draft Georgia WR AJ Green, but that's another story). So here is my prediction for each game in the 2010 season:
WEEK 1 VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS- WIN
The Rams start off at home against the Cardinals. Both teams will come ready to play, given it's the opener, but the Rams have the home field advantage. Expect the Dome to be a factor; with Sam Bradford's debut, and the buzz surrounding the team after beating the Patriots, it should be a stadium full of Rams Fans.
Arizona is not the same team from the last two seasons (and even those teams were not dominant during the regular season). They have two mediocre options at QB (Matt Leinart, Derek Anderson), and they aren't sure which one will be the starter. WR Anquan Boldin is gone, making double coverage on Larry Fitzgerald an option (Fitzgerald has already struggled against CB Ron Bartell alone). They will have to rely on their running game, and so far in the preseason, the Rams defense has been dominant against the run. And we saw how weak Arizona's defense can be, when they played Green Bay and New Orleans in the playoffs. So I think the Rams take the 'W' opening day.
WEEK 2 @ OAKLAND RAIDERS- LOSS
The Rams will be on the road in Oakland, against a team with a good defense. Raiders QB Jason Campbell is much better than JaMarcus Russell, and Campbell will have some weapons at his disposal that he didn't have last season in Washington (McFadden, Heyward-Bey, Zach Miller). I don't think the Raiders have a completely better team than the Rams; but they have a better defense, and they have the home field advantage. I think this will be a circumstantial loss.
WEEK 3 VS. WASHINGTON REDSKINS- WIN
The Rams have played the Redskins in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, the Redskins were one of two teams that the Rams beat. And in 2009, they lost in the final seconds of the game. I think the 2010 Rams have the talent to finish the job with ease this time around. And I'm not buying into ESPN, I don't believe that the Redskins are suddenly a contender in the NFC East just because they added Donavon McNabb. I think McNabb will be under the same pressure from the pass rush that Jason Campbell was in '09. I'm not buying it, the Rams take this game, especially since they are at home.
WEEK 4 VS. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- WIN
The Rams have not beat the Seattle Seahawks since the playoffs in 2004. That's pretty pathetic actually. But the Seahawks continue to get worse, and the Rams have built a pretty solid foundation. I think the Seahawks are more like the Rams of 2007; they are on their way down, and the current Rams are on their way up. I think this time, at home, the Rams finally beat Seattle; and they start off the season 3-1.
WEEK 5 @ DETROIT LIONS- LOSS
Some people might disagree with this prediction, but I think the Lions pull off this win. The Lions were the only team the Rams beat in 2009, but I think the Lions get their revenge. The Lions have possibly the most talented WR in the league in Calvin Johnson, and he will give the Rams' weak defensive backfield trouble. The Lions also have other weapons on offense, like TE Brandon Pettigrew, WR Nate Burleson, and explosive rookie RB Jahvid Best. And a defensive line featuring Kyle VandenBosch and Ndamukong Suh could give the Rams o-line some trouble.
WEEK 6 VS. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS- LOSS
San Diego has a very powerful offense that is capable of putting up points. They do have some question marks on defense, but I don't think it matters. San Diego is a playoff team, and possibly even a Super Bowl threat. The Rams are just not at that point yet. Even if it is a home game, I don't see the Rams pulling off a win this week.
WEEK 7 @ TAMPA BAY BUCS- WIN
Tampa Bay is a very weak team. Second year QB Josh Freeman did not have a very promising rookie performance, and I think he continues to struggle in his second year. RB Cadillac Williams is a shadow of his rookie form, and #2 RB Derrick Ward has been extremely disappointing so far for the Bucs. The Bucs had a good draft, obtaining DT Gerald McCoy, DT Brian Price, WR Arrelious Benn, and WR Mike Williams. They have some young talent to build on, but I think the Rams have the means to dominate the Bucs.
WEEK8 VS CAROLINA PANTHERS- LOSS
They are not the same Carolina Panthers that went to the Super Bowl. The lost QB Jake Delhomme, and Steve Smith is not the dominating WR he use to be. But Delhomme's replacement, Matt Moore, was 4-1 as a starter when he stepped in (beating both New Orleans and Minnesota). I think this has potential to be a very close game. But I think that ultimately Carolina will pull of a victory.
WEEK 9 BYE
WEEK 10 @ SAN FRANCISCO- LOSS
San Francisco is the favorite to win the division. They have a defense that will potentially be one of the best in the league. I think their weakness is QB Alex Smith, and I think that QB should have been their first priority this past off-season, especially with Donovan McNabb and Jason Campbell available. But they still have weapons on offense in Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis. The 49ers have been rebuilding for a long time, and they are finally ready. I don't think the Rams can compete with the 49ers until 2011 at the very earliest.
WEEK 11 VS ATLANTA FALCONS- LOSS
Atlanta, much like Carolina, is a team that I think the Rams could possibly upset. But Atlanta has Michael Turner and Roddy White on offense, with a solid QB in Matt Ryan. The Falcons don't have a very strong defense (ranked 21st in 2009), but I think that their offense will be just a little too much for the Rams in week 11.
WEEK 12 @ DENVER BRONCOS- WIN
I just don't agree with the moves head coach Josh McDaniels has made for the Broncos. The team failed to make the playoffs last season, so McDaniels responded by letting go of their best offensive player in Brandon Marshall, and dropped a solid TE in Tony Scheffler. Bronco fans must be going crazy. Hopefully, by week 12, Josh McDaniels will go completely insane, and decide to start Tim Tebow at QB. That would seal the deal for the Rams. McDaniels destroyed this team, and I think it will show in 2010.
WEEK 13 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS- LOSS
This is where Arizona gets their revenge for week 1. They will be at home, and whichever QB they choose will probably be much more comfortable with the offense by week 13. The Rams also have thin depth, and I think that will begin to show by week 13.
WEEK 14 @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- LOSS
New Orleans has a pass happy offense, and the Rams secondary is pretty weak. I think the reigning Super Bowl champs pull of a win, and expose the Rams defensive backfield all day. The Rams had a pretty good showing against New Orleans in 2009, keeping the game close through the first half, but I think the outcome will be the same as it was in '09.
WEEK 15 VS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- WIN
The Chiefs were 11th in the NFL in rushing. And the addition of RB Thomas Jones can only help. Jones will probably take the majority of the carries, and share time with Jamaal Charles. The Chiefs currently lead the NFL in average rushing yards per game, for the preseason. However, they were 25th in the NFL in passing offense in 2009. So given their lack of a passing offense, and the way the Rams defense has been playing against the run, I don't see the Chiefs offense over powering the Rams in any way. The Chiefs have a lot of potential on defense in Eric Berry, Tyson Jackson, Glenn Dorsey; and some proven veterans in Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. But despite the potential they have on 'D', the Chiefs defense was ranked 30th in total yards allowed, which was even worse than the Rams last year (29th). I don't think Matt Cassel is the answer for them at QB, and their defense is too young to flourish. The only thing they have going for them is their running game, but that's not enough to win on the road against the Rams.
WEEK 16 SAN FRANSISCO 49ER'S- LOSS
Again, the 49ers are a very strong team, and have the talent to have a top defense in the league. Mix that with their offensive weapons (Davis, Gore, Crabtree), and the Rams won't beat this team, even in St.Louis. The only way the Rams win this game is if the 49ers have clinched home field advantage (in the playoffs) at this point, and bench their starters.
WEEK 17 @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- WIN
The Seahawks are trying to put band-aids over major wounds, but they need a complete makeover. The Seahawks are on the decline, and the Rams are on the rise. I see the Ram rolling over them in 2010, and I think we will see the Rams end the season on a high note.
FINAL RECORD: 7-9
Friday, August 27, 2010
Cardinals beat the Nationals 4-2
The Cardinals pull off a much needed win on the road in Washington against the Nationals. The Nationals were shut out for the majority of the game, until they picked up their first run in the 8th inning. Then they made things interesting in the bottom of the 9th, scoring their second run (making it 4-2) and getting two men on base, which brought Ivan Rodriguez to the plate, representing the leading run with two outs. Closer Ryan Franklin managed to pick up the save, as Rodriguez hit a ground ball for the final out.
Starting pitcher Jaime Garcia pitched a good game, picking up his 12th win of the season. He threw 5.1 innings, and gave up 8 hits. But he had 7 SO, and 0 ER. Garcia continues to make a good argument for the Rookie of the Year award. Relief pitcher Kyle McClellan and Franklin made things interesting, they both gave up 2 hits, and they each gave up a run (both earned).
OF Matt Holliday probably had the best night at the plate for the Cards. He was 2-for-4 with a HR (23rd on the season). Albert Pujols managed to hit his 401st HR of his career (35th of the season) in the 1st inning, but it was his only hit of the night. OF Jon Jay was the only other player to get an RBI.
The game got sloppy at the end. But it was nice to see the team pull off a much needed win. It didn't help that C Yadier Molina was held out of the game; as well as Colby Rasmus. And it also didn't help that Pujols was still banged up from his ankle injury from last night. But despite those set-backs, the team pulled off a needed win.
The Cardinals still have two games remaining in Washington for the series. Tomorrow at 6:05 Central, and Sunday at 12:35 PM.
Starting pitcher Jaime Garcia pitched a good game, picking up his 12th win of the season. He threw 5.1 innings, and gave up 8 hits. But he had 7 SO, and 0 ER. Garcia continues to make a good argument for the Rookie of the Year award. Relief pitcher Kyle McClellan and Franklin made things interesting, they both gave up 2 hits, and they each gave up a run (both earned).
OF Matt Holliday probably had the best night at the plate for the Cards. He was 2-for-4 with a HR (23rd on the season). Albert Pujols managed to hit his 401st HR of his career (35th of the season) in the 1st inning, but it was his only hit of the night. OF Jon Jay was the only other player to get an RBI.
The game got sloppy at the end. But it was nice to see the team pull off a much needed win. It didn't help that C Yadier Molina was held out of the game; as well as Colby Rasmus. And it also didn't help that Pujols was still banged up from his ankle injury from last night. But despite those set-backs, the team pulled off a needed win.
The Cardinals still have two games remaining in Washington for the series. Tomorrow at 6:05 Central, and Sunday at 12:35 PM.
Bradford will start last preseason game against Ravens
Rams rookie QB Sam Bradford had a phenomenal showing against the New England Patriots, and he will get a chance to start his second game in a row against the Baltimore Ravens, for the final preseason game. According to the Rams, the reason for this is still AJ Feeley's injured thumb, Feeley might not be 100% in time for the game.
It is hard to believe that Bradford would not be starting this game either way. If his performance against the Patriots didn't knock Feeley out of the picture, then what will? This is really not a surprise, Bradford should be the starter, even if Feeley is ready week 1 against Arizona (Sep. 12th).
It is hard to believe that Bradford would not be starting this game either way. If his performance against the Patriots didn't knock Feeley out of the picture, then what will? This is really not a surprise, Bradford should be the starter, even if Feeley is ready week 1 against Arizona (Sep. 12th).
Rams WR Donnie Avery out for the season
It has been confirmed that the Rams' leading WR of 2009, Donnie Avery, tore his ACL last night against the New England Patriots. Avery will be out for the entire 2010 season.
Avery was the Rams best WR. But this will give guys like Mardy Gilyard and Denario Alexander a chance to step up. WR Laurent Robinson is more than capable of replacing Avery as the #1 WR, but Robinson has been under-performing the entire preseason. I fully expect him, and the other receivers (Gilyard, Alexander, Danny Amendola, Keenan Burton, and Brandon Gibson) to step up to the plate, and carry the Rams offense. Although Avery is the best WR for the Rams, he is not significantly better than the others.
The younger guys will step up, the momentum from last night will carry into week 1, and hopefully the Rams' offense will not skip a beat from the loss of Avery.
Avery was the Rams best WR. But this will give guys like Mardy Gilyard and Denario Alexander a chance to step up. WR Laurent Robinson is more than capable of replacing Avery as the #1 WR, but Robinson has been under-performing the entire preseason. I fully expect him, and the other receivers (Gilyard, Alexander, Danny Amendola, Keenan Burton, and Brandon Gibson) to step up to the plate, and carry the Rams offense. Although Avery is the best WR for the Rams, he is not significantly better than the others.
The younger guys will step up, the momentum from last night will carry into week 1, and hopefully the Rams' offense will not skip a beat from the loss of Avery.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Cardinals/Nationals game heads into extra innings
Cardinals first-baseman Albert Pujols hit his 400th HR tonight, and only the 2010 Cardinals can ruin a moment like that. Their play against the MLB bottom feeders never fails to amaze. I started writing this article before the conclusion of the game; because it doesn't matter if they win or lose. Their play tonight was inexcusable. Their play against junk teams is inexcusable. They are not even coming close to meeting the expectations of the coaches(at least I hope not), the fans, and the city of St.Louis. And if this team does not do a complete 180 in the next day or two, then this team will NOT make the playoffs, they won't even sniff the playoffs.
I don't care if Pujols hits a beautiful walk-off HR to end this game, and it turns into the most exciting game of the season. The fact that this team, during a crucial part of the season, has to go into extra innings against one of the worst teams around, is a complete joke. You know it's bad when a Rams' preseason game is more exciting than a Cardinals "play-off hunt" game.
I don't care if Pujols hits a beautiful walk-off HR to end this game, and it turns into the most exciting game of the season. The fact that this team, during a crucial part of the season, has to go into extra innings against one of the worst teams around, is a complete joke. You know it's bad when a Rams' preseason game is more exciting than a Cardinals "play-off hunt" game.
Rams beat Patriots 36-35... 8/26 post-game
NOTE: This article is in reference to first string players, and primarily the first half of the game.
Rookie #1 overall pick, QB Sam Bradford threw his first 2 TD passes as a Ram (and to make it even better, it he did it on the same night Albert Pujols hit is 400th career HR), and had an impressive performance overall.
I think it is fair to say he made a heck of a case for himself, as the potential starter for week 1. He went 15-for-22 (68%) with 189 yards and 2 TD passes, against the New England Patriot's starters (they have one of the more solid defenses in the league). The question now is: Where do the coaches go, QB wise, from here? With a performance like that, against one of the better teams in football, I don't see Bradford riding the bench week 1.
Let's look at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; and talk a little more about Bradford, and the rest of the game...
The Good: Steven Jackson looked as good as most thought he would in his limited time. He had 5 carries for 22 yards; and his presence was (as expected) a major factor for the offense. Bradford was able to throw his first TD as a Ram, and I believe part of that is due to the pressure that Jackson took off Bradford. The TD pass was to rookie TE Mike Hoomanawanui.
But Bradford certainly didn't require Jackson. He continued to tear up the Patriots with Jackson on the bench. He threw his second TD of the game (once again, to big Mike H.), and over 100 yards after Jackson left the game. And he damn near threw his third on the last drive of the first half, but led WR Laurent Robinson a little too close to the sidelines.
Another good thing, was that the offense did not turn one-dimensional after Jackson left the game. RB Kenneth Darby was able to establish an inside running game, he rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries, taking some pressure off Bradford.
The defense was also able to establish a strong presence. The Pats scored a TD on the opening kick-off, and then the Rams scored 17 unanswered, until late in the 4th quarter. The half-time score was not really a good indicator of how dominate the Rams were in the first half. The Patriots had virtually no run game (16 yards total in the first half). And their pass game, though consistent, was not very potent until the end of first half.
Although I usually don't mention the back-up's, QB Keith Null, and QB Thad Lewis deserve some credit for hanging on in the second half, and sealing the victory. There is nothing better than beating the Patriots.
The Bad: The defense, once again, was unable to establish consistent pressure in the pass rush. They were able to pressure at moments, but it lacked overall, as Brady was able to go 8-for-10 in the first half. And that completion percentage is also reflective of the defensive backfield having another poor game (although they seemed a little more physical than last week).
When you are coming off a 1-15 season, you can not allow teams to get their points from special teams. The kick-return TD was inexcusable. A team as weak as the Rams can not afford to lose momentum that early in the game.
The Ugly: Donnie Avery injured his knee towards the end of the second half; and it looked nasty. We will have to wait and see what the doctors say, but he was carted off the field, and it did not look good. Not good for a team that is already thin with WR talent.
The Patriots were also ugly overall. But I am hoping it has more to do with the Rams playing good, than the Patriots playing bad. But take away their special-teams TD, and the score was 20-7 Rams lead at half-time. And you know a team is desperate when they play their first team offense against the Rams' (worst team in '09) second string defense. Nice class Belichick. It looks like he cheats in the preseason as well.
Overall: It was a very encouraging performance by the Rams, and it will be hard to expect that anyone other than Bradford will be lining-up under center week 1. If this performance didn't earn him the starting job, then I don't know what will.
The offense looks like it is ready to roll. It is unknown how much the loss of Avery will hurt. He is a good WR, but this will give Denario Alexander or Mardy Gilyard a great opportunity. God knows both of those guys have the talent, they just need to make the plays. It's not like Avery was light-years better than the other wide-outs. Trent Green also got injured in the preseason against the Patriots, and that turned out alright. We'll have to wait and see. This is an offense capable of putting points on the board. Certainly more than 10.9 points per game (the offense's average in 2009). The only thing that can stop this offense is stupid mistakes (but remember, Richie Incognito and Alex Barron are gone), and injuries.
The Defense looks like a much improved unit over last year. The defensive backfield might cause some concern, but hopefully coach Spagnuolo will improve the pass-rush throughout the year, therefore taking pressure off the backfield. It might not be an elite defense, but I think the Rams can definitely win some games with this unit.
If every team underestimates the Rams, like the Patriots did tonight, then this team will turn some heads this year.
Rookie #1 overall pick, QB Sam Bradford threw his first 2 TD passes as a Ram (and to make it even better, it he did it on the same night Albert Pujols hit is 400th career HR), and had an impressive performance overall.
I think it is fair to say he made a heck of a case for himself, as the potential starter for week 1. He went 15-for-22 (68%) with 189 yards and 2 TD passes, against the New England Patriot's starters (they have one of the more solid defenses in the league). The question now is: Where do the coaches go, QB wise, from here? With a performance like that, against one of the better teams in football, I don't see Bradford riding the bench week 1.
Let's look at the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; and talk a little more about Bradford, and the rest of the game...
The Good: Steven Jackson looked as good as most thought he would in his limited time. He had 5 carries for 22 yards; and his presence was (as expected) a major factor for the offense. Bradford was able to throw his first TD as a Ram, and I believe part of that is due to the pressure that Jackson took off Bradford. The TD pass was to rookie TE Mike Hoomanawanui.
But Bradford certainly didn't require Jackson. He continued to tear up the Patriots with Jackson on the bench. He threw his second TD of the game (once again, to big Mike H.), and over 100 yards after Jackson left the game. And he damn near threw his third on the last drive of the first half, but led WR Laurent Robinson a little too close to the sidelines.
Another good thing, was that the offense did not turn one-dimensional after Jackson left the game. RB Kenneth Darby was able to establish an inside running game, he rushed for 35 yards on 13 carries, taking some pressure off Bradford.
The defense was also able to establish a strong presence. The Pats scored a TD on the opening kick-off, and then the Rams scored 17 unanswered, until late in the 4th quarter. The half-time score was not really a good indicator of how dominate the Rams were in the first half. The Patriots had virtually no run game (16 yards total in the first half). And their pass game, though consistent, was not very potent until the end of first half.
Although I usually don't mention the back-up's, QB Keith Null, and QB Thad Lewis deserve some credit for hanging on in the second half, and sealing the victory. There is nothing better than beating the Patriots.
The Bad: The defense, once again, was unable to establish consistent pressure in the pass rush. They were able to pressure at moments, but it lacked overall, as Brady was able to go 8-for-10 in the first half. And that completion percentage is also reflective of the defensive backfield having another poor game (although they seemed a little more physical than last week).
When you are coming off a 1-15 season, you can not allow teams to get their points from special teams. The kick-return TD was inexcusable. A team as weak as the Rams can not afford to lose momentum that early in the game.
The Ugly: Donnie Avery injured his knee towards the end of the second half; and it looked nasty. We will have to wait and see what the doctors say, but he was carted off the field, and it did not look good. Not good for a team that is already thin with WR talent.
The Patriots were also ugly overall. But I am hoping it has more to do with the Rams playing good, than the Patriots playing bad. But take away their special-teams TD, and the score was 20-7 Rams lead at half-time. And you know a team is desperate when they play their first team offense against the Rams' (worst team in '09) second string defense. Nice class Belichick. It looks like he cheats in the preseason as well.
Overall: It was a very encouraging performance by the Rams, and it will be hard to expect that anyone other than Bradford will be lining-up under center week 1. If this performance didn't earn him the starting job, then I don't know what will.
The offense looks like it is ready to roll. It is unknown how much the loss of Avery will hurt. He is a good WR, but this will give Denario Alexander or Mardy Gilyard a great opportunity. God knows both of those guys have the talent, they just need to make the plays. It's not like Avery was light-years better than the other wide-outs. Trent Green also got injured in the preseason against the Patriots, and that turned out alright. We'll have to wait and see. This is an offense capable of putting points on the board. Certainly more than 10.9 points per game (the offense's average in 2009). The only thing that can stop this offense is stupid mistakes (but remember, Richie Incognito and Alex Barron are gone), and injuries.
The Defense looks like a much improved unit over last year. The defensive backfield might cause some concern, but hopefully coach Spagnuolo will improve the pass-rush throughout the year, therefore taking pressure off the backfield. It might not be an elite defense, but I think the Rams can definitely win some games with this unit.
If every team underestimates the Rams, like the Patriots did tonight, then this team will turn some heads this year.
Pujols hits number 400
The St.Louis Cardinals' first-baseman Albert Pujols has just hit his 400th home-run of his career tonight (Aug. 26th) off of Jordan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals. He is only the 47th player to do so in the history of Major League Baseball.
Hitting his 400th home-run might not be his only milestone of the season. Pujols has a legitimate shot at winning the first NL triple-crown since the Cardinals left-fielder Joe Medwick did it in 1937. And it would be the first triple-crown won in the MLB since the Boston Red Sox' left-fielder Carl Yastrzemski won it in 1967.
And if he finishes the season with a .300+ BA, 30+ HR (check), and 100+ RBI, he will be the only player in baseball's history to do so for ten seasons in a row.
His stats, as of now are: .319 BA (3rd in NL, Joey Votto is 1st with .323) , 33 HR (1st in NL), 92 RBI (1st in NL).
Hitting his 400th home-run might not be his only milestone of the season. Pujols has a legitimate shot at winning the first NL triple-crown since the Cardinals left-fielder Joe Medwick did it in 1937. And it would be the first triple-crown won in the MLB since the Boston Red Sox' left-fielder Carl Yastrzemski won it in 1967.
And if he finishes the season with a .300+ BA, 30+ HR (check), and 100+ RBI, he will be the only player in baseball's history to do so for ten seasons in a row.
His stats, as of now are: .319 BA (3rd in NL, Joey Votto is 1st with .323) , 33 HR (1st in NL), 92 RBI (1st in NL).
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Cardinals lose 2nd in a row to Pirates, 5-2
Starting pitcher Jake Westbrook continues to disappoint Cardinals Nation. Westbrook ran into trouble in the 3rd inning when he loaded the bases, and then gave up a triple to Neil Walker, scoring 3 runs. He then gave up one more run in the 4th inning, making the score 4-0. All four of the runs were earned, and his ERA is now at 4.57.
I've always been opposed to the Ryan Ludwick/Westbrook trade; but since Ludwick is slumping in San Diego, I'll lay off that subject. But it doesn't change the fact that Westbrook has not been getting it done for the Cards. And it just emphasizes how important it is for the team to pick up wins when either Adam Wainwright, or Chris Carpenter, throws a gem; but they lose many of those games due to stupidity, such as errors, or poor base running (like last night).
But Westbrook is not the only one at fault. You know it's a terrible series when Kyle Lohse is the guy that saves the team from a sweep. The offense has been dead the past two nights. But tonight in particular, the offense took the day off, until the 7th inning, when Felipe Lopez hit a HR. They then managed to get 2 more base-runners in the 7th, but they were stranded. Their second run came in the 9th, when Aaron miles got an RBI, scoring Pedro Feliz. Other than those two innings, things were very quiet.
The team has greatly struggled struggled against sub-.500 teams, and on the road. The Cardinals play 14 of their next 17 games on the road, and 10 of those 14 away games are against sub-.500 teams. The crucial month of September is just around the corner, making this road-trip possibly a "do-or-die" situation.
I've always been opposed to the Ryan Ludwick/Westbrook trade; but since Ludwick is slumping in San Diego, I'll lay off that subject. But it doesn't change the fact that Westbrook has not been getting it done for the Cards. And it just emphasizes how important it is for the team to pick up wins when either Adam Wainwright, or Chris Carpenter, throws a gem; but they lose many of those games due to stupidity, such as errors, or poor base running (like last night).
But Westbrook is not the only one at fault. You know it's a terrible series when Kyle Lohse is the guy that saves the team from a sweep. The offense has been dead the past two nights. But tonight in particular, the offense took the day off, until the 7th inning, when Felipe Lopez hit a HR. They then managed to get 2 more base-runners in the 7th, but they were stranded. Their second run came in the 9th, when Aaron miles got an RBI, scoring Pedro Feliz. Other than those two innings, things were very quiet.
The team has greatly struggled struggled against sub-.500 teams, and on the road. The Cardinals play 14 of their next 17 games on the road, and 10 of those 14 away games are against sub-.500 teams. The crucial month of September is just around the corner, making this road-trip possibly a "do-or-die" situation.
Kroenke is King!
After months of anticipation, Rams Nation can rest easy. They now have solidity in the Front Office. The NFL owners have officially approved billionaire Stan Kroenke's bid to purchase the St.Louis Rams, making him the new majority owner.
The Rams' stability has been in question, ever since previous owner Georgia Frontiere passed away in 2008. The team was then inherited by her children; Chip Rosenbloom, and Lucia Rodriguez. Neither of her children had any interest in running an NFL franchise, so they put the team up for sale. Illinois billionaire Shahid Khan made an offer for the team; but Stan Kroenke, who was already a 40% minority owner of the team, executed his right of first refusal, and then announced he would make a bid for the team.
The NFL rules do not allow an owner to own another franchise (in a different sport), in a different market. So Kroenke's bid was not a sure thing, given he is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets.
But the NFL decided to make an exception in Kroenke's case, approving his bid, and making him majority owner of the Rams. This is great news for Rams fans. Free Agent spending was very limited this past off-season, due to the ownership issues. A new and dedicated owner will allow the Rams to be more aggressive in signing top-tier talent, especially since Kroenke is one of the wealthiest NFL owners. It is also possible that a new stadium could be in-store for St.Louis.
It will be interesting to see what Kroenke's first order of business is, and what visions he has for the team. But Rams fans can rest easy, as there is finally some stability.
The Rams' stability has been in question, ever since previous owner Georgia Frontiere passed away in 2008. The team was then inherited by her children; Chip Rosenbloom, and Lucia Rodriguez. Neither of her children had any interest in running an NFL franchise, so they put the team up for sale. Illinois billionaire Shahid Khan made an offer for the team; but Stan Kroenke, who was already a 40% minority owner of the team, executed his right of first refusal, and then announced he would make a bid for the team.
The NFL rules do not allow an owner to own another franchise (in a different sport), in a different market. So Kroenke's bid was not a sure thing, given he is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanche, and the Denver Nuggets.
But the NFL decided to make an exception in Kroenke's case, approving his bid, and making him majority owner of the Rams. This is great news for Rams fans. Free Agent spending was very limited this past off-season, due to the ownership issues. A new and dedicated owner will allow the Rams to be more aggressive in signing top-tier talent, especially since Kroenke is one of the wealthiest NFL owners. It is also possible that a new stadium could be in-store for St.Louis.
It will be interesting to see what Kroenke's first order of business is, and what visions he has for the team. But Rams fans can rest easy, as there is finally some stability.
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