The Rams defense still isn't any good, no matter what Jim Haslett tells you. Still, they've found a bright spot at defensive tackle in fifth-round pick Clifton Ryan.Before the season the Rams were, quite foolishly, expecting perennial ne'erdowell Claude Wroten and Adam Carriker to help solidify their rotation on the interior of the line. Wroten, suspended for the first four games, is actually overachieving by doing nothing (bonus points for no weed-related or DUI arrests). Enter Ryan.
The rookie from Michigan State has been very productive in limited time, posting seven tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles (one of which he recovered) in three games. Carriker, by comparison, has just three tackles. La'Roi Glover, the Rams' other starter, has six tackles. And Wroten's lucky if he remembers how to get to the stadium.
As the Rams start out 0-3, looking dreadful pretty much across the board, Ryan has been a bright spot. So at least there's that. Plus, check out his slick website. It's shiny. And you can even log into the Clifton Ryan forum, where you can talk all things Clifton Ryan with
