The Dark Horse Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 Forgive me if this info was posted already in different form. I saw that blurb about our interest in Rod Jones in the Post or Times last week. Initially, I wondered who the hell he was because I hadn't heard of him. Then I initially saw that he has bounced around the league a bit and hasn't started many games in his career. Great, I thought to myself, another Larry Moore type signing. Whooppppity dooooo dahhhhh.<br /><br />Then I dug a little deeper and really liked what I found. These are the various blurbs about Jones I dug up from the Sporting News' Rams Team Report. I'm begining to think this would be an excellent signing, especially if that Sapp to Philly rumor happens on draft day.<br /><br />-----------------<br />The next option for the Rams is Rod Jones, who started in place of Tucker against New England in the Super Bowl. Jones left the game early with a groin injury, but only after committing an assignment snafu that led to Kurt Warner's interception return for a TD by Ty Law. Jones is bigger than Tucker and harder to bull rush, and has surprisingly quick feet for someone his size. But he's an unrestricted free agent, and has drawn interest from other teams.<br /><br />---------------------------------<br /><br />Jones played well in the playoffs in place of the injured Ryan Tucker, then replaced him in the starting lineup at right tackle in Super Bowl 36 even though Tucker had recovered by then from an ankle injury. <br /><br />Jones had the notable gaffe of missing a blocking assignment on one of the key plays of the game, allowing Mike Vrabel to get to Kurt Warner unimpeded on the Ty Law interception returned for the game's first touchdown. But Rams coaches like his size, strength, and quickness for a big man. <br /><br />-----------<br /><br />Tucker had missed both playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl because of an ankle injury suffered in the regular-season finale against Atlanta. But he wasn't on the Rams' injury report the week of the Super Bowl, and was replaced in the starting lineup by Rod Jones. (Tucker ended up playing most of the game, but only because Jones aggravated a groin injury.) Just two days after the Super Bowl, Tucker was placed on the Rams' expansion list for the Houston Texans. <br /><br />How does a team sour on a two-year starter so quickly? Rams coaches feel that Tucker gets too worked up for big games, limiting his effectiveness. Jones did perform well in the playoff victories over Green Bay and Philadelphia -- especially against the Eagles. But against New England, he was guilty of a critical blown assignment, failing to block Mike Vrabel on a pass rush that resulted in Ty Law's interception return for a touchdown. <br /><br />Salary-cap considerations may cause the Rams to release Tucker even if the Texans don't claim him. It's also possible that they may attempt to renegotiate his contract. The Rams feel that Jones would be more than adequate as a replacement, and they also feel like John St. Clair, who hasn't played a down (except for preseason games) in his first two NFL seasons, is ready to make a run at the starting job. <br /><br />St. Clair was impressive, albeit on the practice field, as the season wound down. Keep in mind, however, that Jones is scheduled for unrestricted free agency, and the Rams may have a hard time bringing him back for anything close to the $600,000 he played for this past season. <br /><br />----------------<br /><br />Rod Jones, starting in place of Ryan Tucker (ankle) at right tackle, also held up very well before suffering a fourth-quarter groin injury. Tucker came in when both Pace and Jones were hurt, and didn't allow an Eagles pass rusher to get near Warner. <br /><br />----------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimReaper21 Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 I really like Rod Jones and his versatility. He can play any line spot except center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie5 Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 Thanks for the good info, but what's wrong with "another Larry Moore type signing" again? Perhaps you'd prefer "another Deion Sanders type signing" or "another Mark Carrier" type signing.<br />That said, Rod Jones would be a very solid addition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 So he is supposed to be our Left Guard if we can sign him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGDC Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 I'm hoping we can sign him although I'd rather have Semple. Either player would be a nice addition to a weak interior line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Horse Posted April 1, 2002 Author Share Posted April 1, 2002 </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Ernie5:<br /><strong>Thanks for the good info, but what's wrong with "another Larry Moore type signing" again? Perhaps you'd prefer "another Deion Sanders type signing" or "another Mark Carrier" type signing.<br />That said, Rod Jones would be a very solid addition.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's not fair to assume that I would prefer a Deion signing. Actually, if you knew my history, you'd know I was one of the most critical opponents of the signing. Carrier wasn't bad because his signing bonus was petty. Had he not been 'targeted' by the NFL, he would have been a solid player for us last season.<br /><br />Next, I have no idea why signing Larry Moore has you feeling all warm and fuzzy. When the Redskins sign a player and I am not familiar with them, I pull out my old Pro Football Weekly's and Sporting News previews and do my homework. <br /><br />You've seen how I did this to some extent with Rod Jones and you obviously share my opinion that he is a solid, if not intriguing, prospect. Not only could he start at guard for us but he could also replace Jansen if something ever happened to him. I feel that Jones could play both spots at a very high level. <br /><br />Everything I read about Larry Moore, however, was far different and I feel if I posted it, you'd probably be a little concerned about the prospect of Moore starting on our offensive line. I'm fairly sure I posted it on these boards. I'll see if I can dig it up.<br /><br />Dave, I never really considered which side. His size and feet would allow him to play either. I guess it would really depend on what the strength is of the other starting guard we have in mind. <br /><br />Semple is another guy (besides Moore) I'm not too impressed with. I do realize we can't be rock solid at every position. I'm just being critical like an outsider. I guess in a player, I look for some upside and it seems Semple's former team always put a priority on attmpting to replace him. If you look at the luck the Lions have had with their offensive line draft picks (ie Aaron Gibson), it's not too hard to figure out that he got his job by default. He is really a quality depth player, just like Moore, not a quality starter.<br /> <br /> <small>[ April 01, 2002, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: The Dark Horse ]</small> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 I don't think Larry Moore will be in the Pro Bowl anytime soon, he is a solid, serviceable player but nothing more.<br /><br />And up until the point that Raymer signed a $10 million contract with the Chargers that is what we thought about HIM for much of the past 3 or 4 years.<br /><br />Indeed, since Jeff Bostic retired the Skins have not had a center make the Pro Bowl or gain much recognition.<br /><br />Moore may have been merely serviceable at guard for the Colts last year but that is not the position he will be playing here under most scenarios I have heard mentioned.<br /><br />"doing one's homework" for us fans almost invariably means reading what other non-NFL people have to say, be it reporters, sports journalists or TV commentators.<br /><br />None of these experts saw the rise of a Kurt Warner or Rich Gannon. <br /><br />Few even saw the possibility that we would get a very good season out of Andy Heck in 1999 after he was released by the Bears. <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <br /><br />The conventional wisdom at the time was that Heck was so beyond it that he wouldn't even make the final roster.<br /><br />Instead he played all 16 games and only was slowed by a torn hamstring in the playoff game against the Buccaneers.<br /> <br /> <small>[ April 01, 2002, 02:38 PM: Message edited by: bulldog ]</small> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Horse Posted April 1, 2002 Author Share Posted April 1, 2002 I'll agree to disagree about Moore. <br /><br />""doing one's homework" for us fans almost invariably means reading what other non-NFL people have to say, be it reporters, sports journalists or TV commentators."<br /><br />Yeah, sure, but I'm not really THAT naive. I have also talked to some pretty hardcore Indy fans about him and got about the same things. Like me, these people watch the tapes (like I do with the Skins) and actually don't always agree with the media people.<br /><br />Raymer looked good in 1999 when Tre and Sims played the whole season at or close to a Pro Bowl level. You're right, though, Moore will be serviceable, maybe even look good, with solid players around him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie5 Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 I merely meant that the signing of Moore was good for this team b/c we need OL depth & would be well-advised to spend our $$$ on less glamorous people. I didn't necesarily believe you preferred Deion or Carrier, simply that a semi-anonymous (usually) starting guard/center on a team that features speed, a big back & throwing the ball (Colts) is a good thing. My sense is that not a whole lot of people knew much about Ben Coleman (maybe maybe not) & he turned out to be a good acquisition (short of his injuries). Whether or not you've heard of Moore (and yr research on Rod Jones is commendable, first-rate public service), he IS a known quantity in the NFL. Snyder has been tarred & feathered in the league and the press for going for "name guys" even though he was only really guilty of it in 2000 & I'm glad he's learned to seek out (or let his football people seek out) lesser known talent. That's all. A knee-jerk reaction by me, perhaps, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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