BY STEVE KORTE
News-Democrat
ST. LOUIS --
What a difference a year has made in St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Clifton Ryan's career outlook.
Last year, Ryan was a rookie just hoping to earn a roster spot after being taken in the fifth-round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
This year, Ryan, with 16 games of NFL experience under his belt, should be an integral part of the Rams' defensive tackle rotation with starters Adam Carriker and La'Roi Glover.
"A year in the playbook, a year within the system, a year in the city, it's just a whole lot easier," Ryan said. "I can't say that I made it, but just to know that I'm established a year in the game, and I don't feel like I have to put all that pressure on myself like I did last year going in trying to make a roster spot."
Ryan was one of the pleasant surprises in the Rams' unpleasant 2007 season. He had 48 tackles, third-most by a defensive lineman on the team, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Most importantly, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Ryan showed that he could be that kind of stout, run-stuffing nose tackle that the Rams so desperately needed.
"I didn't surprise myself, I always knew what I could do," Ryan said. "I played against the best for four years at Michigan State. I played against a lot of guys who are in this league right now, a lot of high-level guys. I slipped in the draft, but it's not a big deal. The draft is not an exact science. There are a lot of guys who are great players who don't get drafted. I'm just fortunate to get drafted and come into a good situation where the coaching staff is willing to cultivate my talent and watch me grow."
Ryan's breakout game came in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers last season when he had eight tackles and two sacks, making him the first rookie since Sean Gilbert in 1992 to have a multisack game.
Ryan admitted fading a little late in the season, and he said he was working hard to make sure that it didn't happen again this season.
"I think I kind of wore down towards the end," said Ryan, who had only nine tackles over the final six games. "We had our bye week eight games in, we had eight games left. Coming from college, I'm used to only playing 11 or 12 games. I'm going to try to get as much conditioning in as I can heading into training camp and during training camp to preserve my body for a 21-week season."
The Rams have expended a lot of resources on their defensive line. They've used six draft choices, including two first-rounders, a third-rounder, a fourth-rounder, a fifth-rounder and a seventh-rounder on defensive linemen over the past three years.
This year's first-rounder, Chris Long, is projected as the starter at right defensive tackle.
"The future is now, but I think our defensive line, barring injuries, has some great talent," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. We have two first-round picks in there with Leonard (Little), and you all how effective Leonard can be when he is healthy. La'Roi Glover led our (defensive linemen) in sacks last year from the defensive tackle position. You include Victor Adeyanju, who we drafted in the fourth round two years ago, and Clifton Ryan, who we drafted in the fifth round two years ago, you have a really good group of some veterans and some really talented young players. It should be a real strength for us."
Ryan said he was hoping to further establish himself in the NFL this season.
"I'm really motivated seeing what I can do going into my second year," Ryan said. "It feels good feeling that the coaching staff has confidence in me, that Coach Linehan has a lot of confidence in me, and Coach (Jim) Haslett has confidence in me. It's a real stress reliever having that year under your belt and making some plays out there last season."
Rams notes
Free agent offensive tackle Barry Sims will visit the Rams on Friday. Sims, 33, has started 119 games over the last nine seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Sims also is scheduled to visit the New England Patriots on Wednesday and the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. Sims met with the San Francsico 49ers on Monday. ... The NFL has assigned strong safety Sebastien Sejean from France to the Rams as part of its international player development program. The 6-foot-2, 223-pound Sejean attended the University of Laval. ... Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, was on hand for the light practice called Organized Team Actitities on Tuesday. He took part in a limited basis because he's still learning the Rams' offense. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Gradkowski started 11 games over the last two seasons for the Buccaneers. Gradkowski is projected as the Rams' No. 3 quarterback behind Marc Bulger and Trent Green, though the team likely will take four quarterbacks in training camp with last year's No. 3 signal caller Brock Berlin filling out the group.
News-Democrat
ST. LOUIS --
What a difference a year has made in St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Clifton Ryan's career outlook.
Last year, Ryan was a rookie just hoping to earn a roster spot after being taken in the fifth-round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
This year, Ryan, with 16 games of NFL experience under his belt, should be an integral part of the Rams' defensive tackle rotation with starters Adam Carriker and La'Roi Glover.
"A year in the playbook, a year within the system, a year in the city, it's just a whole lot easier," Ryan said. "I can't say that I made it, but just to know that I'm established a year in the game, and I don't feel like I have to put all that pressure on myself like I did last year going in trying to make a roster spot."
Ryan was one of the pleasant surprises in the Rams' unpleasant 2007 season. He had 48 tackles, third-most by a defensive lineman on the team, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Most importantly, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Ryan showed that he could be that kind of stout, run-stuffing nose tackle that the Rams so desperately needed.
"I didn't surprise myself, I always knew what I could do," Ryan said. "I played against the best for four years at Michigan State. I played against a lot of guys who are in this league right now, a lot of high-level guys. I slipped in the draft, but it's not a big deal. The draft is not an exact science. There are a lot of guys who are great players who don't get drafted. I'm just fortunate to get drafted and come into a good situation where the coaching staff is willing to cultivate my talent and watch me grow."
Ryan's breakout game came in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers last season when he had eight tackles and two sacks, making him the first rookie since Sean Gilbert in 1992 to have a multisack game.
Ryan admitted fading a little late in the season, and he said he was working hard to make sure that it didn't happen again this season.
"I think I kind of wore down towards the end," said Ryan, who had only nine tackles over the final six games. "We had our bye week eight games in, we had eight games left. Coming from college, I'm used to only playing 11 or 12 games. I'm going to try to get as much conditioning in as I can heading into training camp and during training camp to preserve my body for a 21-week season."
The Rams have expended a lot of resources on their defensive line. They've used six draft choices, including two first-rounders, a third-rounder, a fourth-rounder, a fifth-rounder and a seventh-rounder on defensive linemen over the past three years.
This year's first-rounder, Chris Long, is projected as the starter at right defensive tackle.
"The future is now, but I think our defensive line, barring injuries, has some great talent," Rams coach Scott Linehan said. We have two first-round picks in there with Leonard (Little), and you all how effective Leonard can be when he is healthy. La'Roi Glover led our (defensive linemen) in sacks last year from the defensive tackle position. You include Victor Adeyanju, who we drafted in the fourth round two years ago, and Clifton Ryan, who we drafted in the fifth round two years ago, you have a really good group of some veterans and some really talented young players. It should be a real strength for us."
Ryan said he was hoping to further establish himself in the NFL this season.
"I'm really motivated seeing what I can do going into my second year," Ryan said. "It feels good feeling that the coaching staff has confidence in me, that Coach Linehan has a lot of confidence in me, and Coach (Jim) Haslett has confidence in me. It's a real stress reliever having that year under your belt and making some plays out there last season."
Rams notes
Free agent offensive tackle Barry Sims will visit the Rams on Friday. Sims, 33, has started 119 games over the last nine seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Sims also is scheduled to visit the New England Patriots on Wednesday and the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. Sims met with the San Francsico 49ers on Monday. ... The NFL has assigned strong safety Sebastien Sejean from France to the Rams as part of its international player development program. The 6-foot-2, 223-pound Sejean attended the University of Laval. ... Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, was on hand for the light practice called Organized Team Actitities on Tuesday. He took part in a limited basis because he's still learning the Rams' offense. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Gradkowski started 11 games over the last two seasons for the Buccaneers. Gradkowski is projected as the Rams' No. 3 quarterback behind Marc Bulger and Trent Green, though the team likely will take four quarterbacks in training camp with last year's No. 3 signal caller Brock Berlin filling out the group.