The X-Factor in Rams vs Cards: Adrian Wilson

Adrian Wilson took it as his personal mission to “welcome” Sam Bradford to the NFL in week one. He had a superhuman game against the Rams, flying all over the field with abandon and ferocity, adding to his reputation as a Ram Killer. He accounted for Sam Bradford’s first career interception, and grabbed a second INT to ice the game in the final minutes. He blocked a punt, and skied over a would be blocker to sack Bradford on a blitz. In short, Wilson was a monster. “He looks like a linebacker,” says Rams offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. “He’s one of the biggest darn safeties you’ll ever see. He does a lot of work near the line of scrimmage. We’ve got to get a blocker on him.” But somewhere along the way during this lost season in the desert, Wilson became a huge liability on defense; Pro Football Focus currently has him ranked as one of their five worst safeties. What’s going on here? And how will it affect the Rams’ gameplan this weeken...