Randy McMichael out for season

Vintage · Oct 7, 2008

McMichael is out for the season

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
10/07/2008

What was supposed to be a breakout year for Randy McMichael officially concluded Monday when the Rams placed the veteran tight end on the season-ending injured reserve list.

McMichael has additional leg problems other than a broken tibia, or shin bone. He also suffered torn ligaments in the same area of the right leg in the Rams' 31-14 loss to Buffalo on Sept. 28.

"The bone will heal, but we're more concerned with the torn ligament, which will take a little bit more time," coach Jim Haslett said.

If it were just a case of letting the broken bone heal, McMichael would have returned in six to eight weeks, or sometime in late November. But the best prognosis McMichael could get was 10 weeks to have the ligament damage heal as well. And that would've left only a couple of games.

"It's a shame," Haslett said. "He's a good kid. He worked hard. He's one of our better blockers, and he's a guy who can run and go catch it. So, obviously, not having him is going to hurt us."

Haslett officially named third-year pro Joe Klopfenstein as the starter in McMichael's absence. Backup tight end Anthony Becht, a blocking specialist, also could see his role increase. The team signed tight end Daniel Fells to the active roster for depth. Fells, who had been on Tampa Bay's practice squad, was on the field Monday for the Rams, who returned to work after a four-day break over their bye week.

McMichael was to be a featured part of the Rams' offense under new coordinator Al Saunders. But McMichael's season ends with 11 catches for 139 yards — the third-highest totals on the team in both categories.

"Obviously, he's disappointed," Becht said. "I would be, too. This was going to be a big year for him. ... He'll bounce back. I think right now he's just kind of in a frustration stage. After a couple weeks go by and he takes some time off with his family, where he is now, he'll come back with a fresh start, and he'll get back next year."

But for now, and perhaps for the remainder of the season, it's Klopfenstein's job. As a rookie, Klopfenstein started all 16 games, catching 20 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown. His role was reduced last season after the Rams signed McMichael in free agency. And this year, with the arrival of Becht, Klopfenstein's reps had slowed to a trickle. Unofficially, Klopfenstein had only two plays from scrimmage against Seattle and just one against the New York Giants.

That should change in a big way, beginning with Sunday's game in Washington.

"He'll be the starter," Haslett said. "It's an opportunity. He needs to step up and take advantage of it. And I don't see why he won't. The guy's got a lot of ability, he just has to grab the bull by the horns."

Becht, who has been playing just under half the time on offense, is ready for an expanded role, too, if necessary.

"I'm not really a guy that's going to get all jumpy because I'm going to get some more snaps," Becht said. "I kind of understand my role on this team. If it's more, then I'm ready to go."

Becht is a nine-year pro, and there was a time when he was more of a threat in the passing game. The former first-round pick out of West Virginia had seasons of 40, 36 and 28 catches for the New York Jets earlier this decade.

And even though he has yet to catch a pass as a Ram, he caught plenty from quarterback Marc Bulger in college when they were teammates with the Mountaineers.

"To be honest with you, back in the day, I was his guy," Becht said, smiling. "I was his go-to guy. ... But it is a trust level. When I get an opportunity in practice, just make sure I catch it and do my job. Make sure they feel comfortable regardless of who's throwing the ball."

Fells, 25, entered the NFL in 2006 as an undrafted free agent out of Cal-Davis. He was on Atlanta's pregame inactive list for all 16 games in 2006, then spent the entire 2007 season on Oakland's practice squad before signing with Tampa Bay last January.

"He's a big body, a guy that can play fullback, can play tight end," Haslett said. "He's got good hands, runs pretty good routes."
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http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sp...1C213C1936E73BA7862574DB001492CE?OpenDocument

Vintage · Oct 7, 2008

In what has been a horrific season for Rams fans... the bad news keeps piling up.

About the only good news for the Rams would be if their rookies start playing well.

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