Diner Morning News: Vick & The Rams

Good read this morning, Michael.

Obviously you have more football experience than I do, but I see O-lines differently. My example being Kerry Collins and Vince Young. Pretty much the same O-line in 2008 as in 2007 except we lost Benji Olsen. Vince played in 2007 and got sacked a little bit. Kerry played last year and had close to the fewest sacks in the NFL. I think it was because the O-Line knew where Kerry was going to BE! Whereas Vince... who knows? They don't have eyes in the backs of their heads, and when Vince scrambles, he's on his own with no protection. That, coupled with the fact that defenses EXPECT QBs like Vince and Vick to scramble, makes them more susceptible to being sacked.

That's my theory. It may be a faulty theory, but Kerry Collins stayed healthy because he rarely got sacked last year. Vince's knee was hurt in the first game while...... scrambling.

"Anyone who says the Rams organization — or GM Billy Devaney or even head coach Steve Spagnuolo — would be worried about Vick’s character is not in touch with how these three might think. First, the present Ram ownership group has never been afraid to select players with a history of some off-the-field issues. Does the name Lawrence Phillips come to mind? Just recently, they selected Claude Wroten, who had many troubles at LSU."

Steve Spagnuolo wasn't with the Rams for those two players. Maybe he alone has made "character" a higher priority?

With everything going on with the Rams, and the fact that I'm a big fan of Spagnuolo, I wish he hadn't taken that job in St. Louis. I just think he's set up for failure.

St. Louis is one of the teams I could see working out for Vick.

Interesting Mike though, I don't think you ever had a QB with the Rams pick in any mock drafts or ever talked mentioned they should of went after Sanchez prior to this? A rookie QB without a decent O-Line is in for a rude awakening.

Why would Spagnuolo want Vick on his team?

As if being a rookie HC and rebuilding the Rams isn't enough of a challenge, he wants to take on the circus that is Vick too?

This is an interesting opinion, if nothing else. I will say this much: the Rams are a team that can benefit from Vick's prodigious talents as much as anyone else, provided that he still has his uncommon skills. Yes, the Rams do have nothing to lose and Marc Bulger's days are done. It has to be salt in the wounds for Rams fans to see Kurt Warner still excelling, for a division rival no less.

Well they did change how sacks were measured and allow guys out of the pocket to throw the ball anywhere to get the ball out for an incompletion.

Sneeze it somewhere, you are out of the pocket.


A quarterback who loses two yards on a run not credited with a sack, being across the line of scrimmage when a running QB passes is not being across the line in the new book, etc.

What happened to players who knew where they were on the field at all times making the play? The rules became like the NBA version of te travelling call or the mythic double dribble.

Even if you see it blatantly, it is not what the rulebook says.

You think Spags for certain wants Vick? Did he pretty much stifle Vick in a Championship game as an assistant to the Eagles Jim Johnson? Maybe how he had to prepare for him gave Spagnulo a new level of respect, or perhaps he attuned the results and thought otherwise.

You must be hearing of what it is Spagnulo wants, his show is playing there every Sunday.

This is the worst article I've read over here.
They just cut a HOF left tackle in Orlando Pace, so they needed a new guy. That's why they drafted a lineman. A QB was also possible, but why? They figure Bulger can go for another 2-3 years, and putting a new QB behind a bad offensive line is a bad idea. Ask Carr or later this year Stafford.

Then the Vick part.
I sometimes joke that...
Step one: bad offensive line
Step two: Big Ben running around
Step four: Super Bowl win.

That's a joke. Quarterbacks are better behind good lines. If you disagree you should compete in breath holding contests.

You can talk yourself into Vick being a good idea... but he's a bad QB. Period.
The only places I can see him play is in a non-playoff Wildcat team.

All those things people say Vick can do happened two years ago. One must be somewhat insane to think Vick could pick up where he left off.

It would relieve pressure on the Rams to get good WRs though. Add to that an OC because can't run a structured offense.

2 + 2 = 5

Sorry Mike Lombaaaahdi, you missed it on this one. Devaney and Spags are not touching Vick with a 10-foot pole. You say that Rams ownership approved signing questionable talents before - Phillips, Wroten, etc. But those situations pale in comparison to Vick's. Vick has been in jail in the orange jump suits. Phillips and Wroten hadn't before they were drafted. Spags has his four pillars he referred to in his presser. Vick's qualities don't fit those pillars.

Also, I saw a typo in your column Mike. You typed 'Bugler' in the third graph from the bottom. Although you might be right - Bulger may bugle things up at QB.

A great QB behind a poor OL is average
A great RB behind a poor OL is average
A average QB behind a great OL is very good
A average RB behind a great OL is very good
Simply put games are won and lost in the TRENCHES!
Without protection a QB is useless
Without a hole to run through a RB is just as useless.
Football as much as any other sport is a TEAM SPORT!