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In their second major move in two days, the St. Louis Rams released starting cornerback Fakhir Brown and signed former Saints cornerback Jason Craft as a roster replacement.
On Tuesday, the Rams, under pressure because of an 0-3 start, benched starting quarterback Marc Bulger and replaced him with Trent Green. Coach Scott Linehan was expected to address the moves Wednesday at a news conference.
The 31-year-old Brown was considered the team's best coverage option and made 27 starts the past three seasons since going to the Rams from the Saints. His release comes only a week after the benching of another Rams starting cornerback, Tye Hill.
On Tuesday, the Rams, under pressure because of an 0-3 start, benched starting quarterback Marc Bulger and replaced him with Trent Green. Coach Scott Linehan was expected to address the moves Wednesday at a news conference.
The 31-year-old Brown was considered the team's best coverage option and made 27 starts the past three seasons since going to the Rams from the Saints. His release comes only a week after the benching of another Rams starting cornerback, Tye Hill.
The Rams' decision to release Fakhir Brown, considered their top cornerback heading into the season, isn't going to help them field a more talented secondary this season. Then again, talent might not be the Rams' only problem during their 0-3 start.
The notebook I keep during games will inevitably feature 30 or 40 hastily scrawled observations. Some translate directly to a story or blog entry. Some get filed away for future consideration. Others become irrelevant.
The 19th note taken during the Rams-Seahawks game questioned Brown's effort defending a deep pass during the second quarter. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw deep left for Billy McMullen for a 34-yard gain to the 6.
I'm always reluctant to question effort without knowing a player's responsibility on a play. After this play, I consulted with another reporter in the press box to see if he had seen the play the same way. He wasn't sure.
After rewatching the play several times on video today, Brown doesn't look any better. First, he does nothing to slow McMullen at the line. He gave McMullen a 5-yard cushion, stepped forward after the snap, turned back to the quarterback, stopped briefly and then jogged as McMullen ran into the clear for a 34-yard reception. Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe made the tackle at the St. Louis 6. The jogging part stood out.
A shoulder injury sidelined Brown through training camp and the exhibition season. He returned for the season opener and started the Seattle game. Ron Bartell and Tye Hill become the starting corners heading into Week 4. Brown, 31, has 27 starts and seven interceptions for the Rams over the last three seasons.
The Rams rank 30th in pass defense, giving up an average of 272.3 yards per game. As a team, the Rams are giving up 38.7 points a game. They face the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills this weekend.
The Rams signed Brown to a five-year, $12 million free agent deal in 2006. He injured his shoulder early in camp this summer.
The notebook I keep during games will inevitably feature 30 or 40 hastily scrawled observations. Some translate directly to a story or blog entry. Some get filed away for future consideration. Others become irrelevant.
The 19th note taken during the Rams-Seahawks game questioned Brown's effort defending a deep pass during the second quarter. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw deep left for Billy McMullen for a 34-yard gain to the 6.
I'm always reluctant to question effort without knowing a player's responsibility on a play. After this play, I consulted with another reporter in the press box to see if he had seen the play the same way. He wasn't sure.
After rewatching the play several times on video today, Brown doesn't look any better. First, he does nothing to slow McMullen at the line. He gave McMullen a 5-yard cushion, stepped forward after the snap, turned back to the quarterback, stopped briefly and then jogged as McMullen ran into the clear for a 34-yard reception. Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe made the tackle at the St. Louis 6. The jogging part stood out.
A shoulder injury sidelined Brown through training camp and the exhibition season. He returned for the season opener and started the Seattle game. Ron Bartell and Tye Hill become the starting corners heading into Week 4. Brown, 31, has 27 starts and seven interceptions for the Rams over the last three seasons.
The Rams rank 30th in pass defense, giving up an average of 272.3 yards per game. As a team, the Rams are giving up 38.7 points a game. They face the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills this weekend.
The Rams signed Brown to a five-year, $12 million free agent deal in 2006. He injured his shoulder early in camp this summer.
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