The players for the Rams were probably not shocked when the firing of their HC was announced today. Most probably expected it, but that doesn't mean some still aren't upset about it. The players truly enjoyed playing for Spags and many of the guys on the team are in St. Louis because of Spags. Some reactions from players.
Ron Bartell said he stayed in STL because of Spags on the Zach and the Coach show on 101 ESPN. Also he thinks the new coach needs to be experienced. Tevin added that he said Ron sounds pretty upset about the Spags firing.
Steven Jackson promises to keep doing his thing.
Howard Balzer said he was told by Sam that he hopes McDaniels stays. Also, here's a video from 101 ESPN with Bradford giving his reaction to the canning of the HC.
Sam Bradford on Spagnuolo Firing "Spags Believed in Me." from 101ESPN on Vimeo.
Moving on, Kathleen Nelson had a post in which many players praised Spags' leadership for the team. Keep in mind this post was up before the announcement of the firings, so these comments seem to be last ditch efforts to save Spags.
"You're not going to find a lot of 2-13 at the time teams that are going to play as hard as we did that late in the game against a team like that, and I think that's really just a credit to the leadership, starting with Coach Spags and working all the way down," quarterback Kellen Clemens said.
"I thought Coach Spagnuolo was very inspiring," (Brandon) Lloyd said. "I didn't have the pleasure of being coached by him, but the words he said to me, our private conversations, the support I had from him on the football field was all positive. "
Other in the article including S Quintin Mikell and MLB James Laurinaitis said they both would like to see him stay but know they have no control over the situation and will continue to play football with the Rams just like before.
Right now there isn't much news with player reactions out there and that makes sense. The team probably asked players not to comment until after the team has a press conference at 3:30 PM today.
Overall with the comments out there now, it seems many of the players are truly sad to see Spags go and they enjoyed their time playing for him, but they know they have no control over what happens.
Players know that the NFL is a business that requires success and coaches can be fired at any time. It's part of the business. They are professionals and they will move on. Firing of coaches is a sad but necessary part of life for players in the NFL.
Stay tuned to TST for reactions from the Rams press conference at 3:30 PM central time today.
0 recs | 101 comments
How soon can we expect to have a new HC?
zachmann21 - January 2, 2012
I'm not sure
but I’m thinking within the next couple of weeks
Brick Top - January 2, 2012
Oh too bad
I was hoping we could reel in Fisher like in the next couple of days lol. Guess that wont happen.
zachmann21 - January 2, 2012
Lloyd didn't have the pleasure of being coached by Spags?
I realize Lloyd was a mid-season pick up, but he was definitely coached by Spags. Shows how little effect Spags had on the offense?
adam2588 - January 2, 2012
I caught that too
you can probably avoid a coach for a week…but for half a season…when you’re the best WR on the team? Looks like Josh is completely in charge of the offense…so, he’s gone?
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
It begins.
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Spags let his OCs do their thing, which wasn't necessarily the right thing ...
… which is what I’m pretty sure Lloyd meant. Spags being a defensive guy, if he had much offensive insight, do you think he would have stood for S-Jax getting 11 touches last year in the crucial game against Seattle?
As down as I was on Shurmur after that, I saw even less from McDaniels. WRs that played in the league (L. Robinson, Avery) got let go because they apparently didn’t fit his offense, whatever that was. Remember McDaniels is the guy who traded up to get Tebow … while Tebow’s run in Denver this year was exciting, it can’t be sustained unless Tebow becomes a better passer. McDaniels had a guy who could pass this year, and he did nothing with him even while the Rams OL was whole. After it became a shambles, his offense was a clusterf&%k.
my name IS Earl - January 2, 2012
Well said
ChrisL951 - January 2, 2012
Spags didnt let his OC's do their thing
It seems to me that on crucial plays, we always went the conservative route.
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Robinson got let go because he was fucking awful last year lol.
Very smart move………………
douchiedude - January 2, 2012
Next Up
BILLY DEVANEY
Ramfan4life - January 2, 2012
dude
he’s already been fired for over 2 hours.
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Didn't know. Thanks
Ramfan4life - January 2, 2012
And Then
MCDANIELS
Ramfan4life - January 2, 2012
+1
ChrisL951 - January 2, 2012
yup, I don't believe bradford in the video
12 ppg isn’t going to win many games. And unless we trade the pick THEN draft 12 players that ALL turn out to be playmakers, it won’t happen
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
I say we bring Raheem Morris on as DC
ChrisL951 - January 2, 2012
I like Raheem
Holds players accountable.
Jombari - January 2, 2012
Nah keep him away/
T.Ram - January 2, 2012
Why?
ChrisL951 - January 2, 2012
His defense allowed 42 points in under 2 quarters.
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012
You call his handling of Talib accountable? Morris should be some coaches helper
Rammon105 - January 2, 2012
I think we all understand Spags is a very likeable guy
But in the end, it’s about results. The results are 10-38. I’d like to see Jeff Fisher. I’d prefer a guy like Norv Turner as OC, but if Sam thinks McD should stay, maybe they think they just need an offseason to learn this offense. McD is heading to KC most likely so I’ll keep saying Norv.
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
I think we need to go West Coast offense next year
ChrisL951 - January 2, 2012
What does Norv really run?
It seems like more of a WC style offense
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
its a WC offense i think
pretty much pass-run balanced, likes to pass vertically
daniell - January 2, 2012
Mad Mike learned his offense from Norv its the Don Coriel offense not west coast
Rammon105 - January 2, 2012
That's what I thought,
at least some aspects.
douchiedude - January 2, 2012
It's a run pass balanced system with a vertical passing game
Kind of the best of both worlds offense
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Rams....
What, do we believe that players would say Spags was terrible and that they’re glad he’s gone?
Spags Rams were out-coached, out-played, and outsmarted.
Ricksome - January 2, 2012
No..
But they also could have declined to be interviewed or quoted but instead agreed to an interview or be quoted as saying what they said
Bralidore - January 2, 2012
Is there a College coach the caliber of Harbaugh that we should be considering? Any ideas?
Douglas M - January 2, 2012
No IMO
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
ya...les miles lol....BUT.........
Mark Jaramillo - January 2, 2012
Don't see him having NFL success to be honest.
douchiedude - January 2, 2012
Ron Zook jk jk
Brick Top - January 2, 2012
To be completely honest,
I think Brady Hoke over at Michigan can be, but he needs at least a few more years of big time college football experience. Plus, he loves Michigan, can’t see him leaving so soon anyway.
douchiedude - January 2, 2012
I think McD stays at this point
He only had one season to work with this team and his contract is up after the next. Either him or go back to the WC offense.
RG31 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Would rather kick the tires on someone like Childress
and that was hard to type. But I agree, if we are going to salvage Bradford we have to get him back in a WCO.
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012
Fisher HC, Raheem Morris DC, Mike Sherman OC, GM Reggie McKenzie
David5264 - January 2, 2012
I'd offer Mel Tucker as an alternate DC
Norv as an alternate OC, and ask who Reggie McKenzie is
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Green Bay Director of Football Operations – Reggie McKenzie
Also consider Steelers Pro Personnel Coordinator – Brandon Hunt, if we get an experianced coach.
David5264 - January 2, 2012
BTW I have no prob w/ your suggesed alternatives.
David5264 - January 2, 2012
Its funny that I just read on the Bucs' site...
Fisher HC, Spags DC, McDaniels OC. and everyone was liking it.
crashoveride01 - January 2, 2012
I would love
to have Spags as DC. I like his defense a lot. He just isn’t HC material right now. I think he will get another shot sometime later in his career though.
slimshaney13 - January 2, 2012
The BUCS SUCKS dont matter who they get
Rammon105 - January 2, 2012
Hopefully they fire the OL and WR coaches. Please!?!?! I am begging!!!!!!
crashoveride01 - January 2, 2012
I think all coaches have to go
ChrisL951 - January 2, 2012
Is Alshon not coming out this year?
I haven’t seen him in recent mocks in the first round
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Hes dropping in most because of his lack of production..
RG31 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
oh ok good...maybe we can get him later in the first if we trade
or somehow maybe even second
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Jeffrey needs to shine at the combine imo, or he could really slide.
David5264 - January 2, 2012
I don't want him to pull a Julio and raise his stock waaaay too high for the Rams not to get him
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
I was thinking Kalil in the first
and trade back up to the lower part of the 1st for Floyd or Alshon.
RG31 - January 2, 2012
Jeffery in the 2nd
would be a big steal. remember when he was considered being taken as early as blackmon?
daniell - January 2, 2012
yeah that's what I'm hoping for
he’s slow, but offing big
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
I wouldn't mind
getting Floyd at all. Great hands. The only downside to him is his attitude.
slimshaney13 - January 2, 2012
never got to watch him play
but he’s being mocked sooo high. Hell, Dwight Jones is being mocked in the second half of the first round…after that bowl game?! I don’t want him near the city of St. Louis
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Yeah, the bowl season has made me re-think some mocks.
David5264 - January 2, 2012
He had a hell of a season.
Except when he played USC :). Yeah, I had to.
douchiedude - January 2, 2012
if both are available, do you take Floyd from ND, or Jeffrey?
David5264 - January 2, 2012
Floyd
I like him better than Jeffrey. Wouldn’t mind either one though. I do think however, that we are getting Blackmon. Lloyd is not a sure thing, and the Rams need a WR more than anything. Offensive line is big too, but I believe that if the Rams get a new offensive line coach, they will get better. The Rams have drafted too many can’t miss offensive lineman in the past few years that have turned out bad. The offensive line coach has got to go.
slimshaney13 - January 2, 2012
Agree on the line coach, but we have to get left tackle.
Smith is dealing with concussions and really wasn’t all that impressive healthy. Saffold is not getting it done on the left.
David5264 - January 2, 2012
I agree with this
If Floyd goes that makes WR our biggest need. I think we can still trade down with Cleveland and get Blackmon.
Colts: Luck
Cleveland: RG3
Vikings: Kalil
Rams: Blackmon
RG31 - January 2, 2012
unless the Vikes go Claiborne?
highly highly highly doubt it though
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
That would be even better I guess, then we could get Kalil
And use the pick that we get from Cleveland and get Alshon or Floyd.
RG31 - January 2, 2012
I'd say Floyd
both big and good hands but he is faster, good after the catch, offensive-system is similar to the nfl-type.
if he had no character-issues he might be a top 10 pick, I say keep Lloyd, Amendola and go Floyd/Jeffery with the 2nd pick.
Man, Kalil, Lloyd, Floyd/Jeffery could turn this into a huge offense.
daniell - January 2, 2012
if we could get Kalil AND one of the top WRs
it’d be awesome. Too bad Julio and AJ Green aren’t in this year’s draft
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Woo! Wolfie Jr. won the Capital One mascot challenge!!
If Benny can’t win it, then Wolfie Jr. is the second best choice!
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
ever since they got rid of Chief Illiniwek, I hate mascots, but it's also a major insult to call Chief a mascot. He was way more than that.
Brick Top - January 2, 2012
yall keep slowing the page down with this stupid picture crap you put up
Rammon105 - January 2, 2012
you still are hatin' aren't you?
maybe faster internet? it’s 2012
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
brick head see what you started now every one wants to post pictures
Rammon105 - January 2, 2012
Brick Top - January 2, 2012
go play with your coloring book
Rammon105 - January 2, 2012
I love coloring though
Brick Top - January 2, 2012
Anybody else think McD should stay?
RG31 - January 2, 2012
me
don’t destroy Sam’s career, give McD and the system a whole offseason and it might work.
daniell - January 2, 2012
Same here
I think given a full offseason and some new weapons this offense could work for us. We really need another Wr on the other side of Lloyd.
RG31 - January 2, 2012
need a better (much better) line and another big WR
with Kendricks hopefully finally coming around next year; with Salas/Danny in the slot.
….sounds so easy when it’s just being typed.
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Yea
Hopefully our new HC gets on the ball asap…
RG31 - January 2, 2012
Softli
screw that
daniell - January 2, 2012
boom, let's rename the team too!
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
LA Rams?
johnniewarthawg - January 2, 2012
I'm thinking Albuquerque Moonshiners
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
that would be awesome!!
we need SOME pro franchise here in new mexico!
Mark Jaramillo - January 2, 2012
big ? as in big time player ...now your getting it.....finally
jswirb - January 2, 2012
Jefferey is rising his stock in this game from the highlights.
I’m still on his wagon, he’s huge
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
new weapons ---do ya think ---where are they gonna fly ouuta ram heaven
sam sucked so bad he’s one of the many reasons spags is gone
fishergoing to miami or tampa in a week
the best we’ll do is norv turner
jswirb - January 2, 2012
its obvious josh is staying
jswirb - January 2, 2012
ya ....he stayed for about 10 seconds!
Mark Jaramillo - January 2, 2012
he got fired too?
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
YES! EVERYONE IS GONE!
sergey606 - January 2, 2012
Welp there goes that theory haha
RG31 - January 2, 2012
Sad to see Spags go :(.
Good luck, wherever you land. I don’t understand why Sam would want McDaniels back, he was awful and couldn’t adjust to this horrible o-line. Even Shurmur could do that. Josh just got Sam killed back there.
douchiedude - January 2, 2012
La Canfora speculating Chudzinski to the Chargers
to replace Norv Turner
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012
I like it
Cause id like Norv here as our OC
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Damn!
Douglas M - January 2, 2012
Public statements not necessarily private sentiment
Rams players wouldn’t be smart to bury Spags on his way out. The competitive players that want to win are probably glad that he is going. The players that were lucky to have jobs probably sided with Spags.
Mister T - January 2, 2012
I hope Sam gets traded
End of story.
OakCityRam - January 2, 2012
is josh gone--really
jswirb - January 2, 2012
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