Colorado State University Athletics
#NextLevelRams: Regular Season Recap
1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Grant Larson
Athletics Communications
Colorado State was represented by nine former Rams affiliated with NFL teams at the conclusion of the 2015 season. That total included five on teams’ 53-man rosters, two on injured reserve and two more players on practice squads.
The Rams will have one former player continuing on in the NFL postseason, Shaquil Barrett, who in his second year with the Denver Broncos has become a mainstay of the team’s stellar defensive unit. He set the stage for such a year in the preseason when he recorded 16 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble. Other recent CSU draftees include Weston Richburg of the New York Giants, who moved from left guard to his natural position of center for 2015, and Crockett Gillmore, who was the regular starting tight end for the Baltimore Ravens in 2015.
Below is a look at what the #NextLevelRams did over the course of the 2015 NFL season.
Shaquil Barrett- After being signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent and spending his rookie season on the practice squad, Shaquil Barrett embraced the underdog role going into training camp this year, and emerged as a breakout player on the league’s premier defense.
The second-year linebacker played in all 16 games, starting six, and finished the season with 50 tackles, including 5.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles, making him one of just three players in the entire league to finish with at least 50 tackles, 5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. His 50 tackles ranked sixth among Broncos players, and his 4 forced fumbles tied for the team-high with four-time Pro Bowler Von Miller. Barrett’s best performance of the season came in a Week 6 start against the Cleveland Browns in which he recorded 9 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, as well as a pass defense.
Shaquil Barrett and the Broncos will continue their push to the Super Bowl as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and will take on either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round on Jan. 17.
Weston Richburg- Due to injuries and personnel shortages, Weston Richburg was forced to spend his rookie season in 2014 playing left guard for the New York Giants. This season however, he was able to return to his natural center position and established himself as one the league’s top offensive lineman.
In his 15 starts, Richburg helped block the way for the league’s eighth ranked overall offense, a unit that allowed the fourth-fewest sacks in the NFL. As the anchor of this elite offensive line, Richburg graded out as Pro Football Focus’ top ranked center in the entire league, and was subsequently named the biggest snub of the 2015 Pro Bowl by both Pro Football Focus and Bleacher Report.
Richburg and the Giants will have a new head coach in 2016, as Tom Coughlin resigned from his duties at the end of the season, and will look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Crockett Gillmore- Like Barrett and Richburg, Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore came into his own in his sophomore campaign, becoming one of the best tight ends in all of football. Despite appearing in just 10 games due to nagging injuries, Gillmore topped all of his rookie numbers and finished the year as the 10th ranked tight end by Pro Football Focus.
The former Ram finished the season with 33 receptions for 412 yards and four touchdowns, and on top of that, ranked as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league. Gillmore quickly became a fan favorite in Baltimore due to his numerous highlight reel grabs, and never-go-down mentality. He was pivotal to the offense after injuries to leading receiver Steve Smith, running back Justin Forsett and quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Baltimore Ravens finished the year 5-11 in a season marred with injuries, and will look to take advantage of the long offseason in hopes of getting healthy and returning to the playoffs in 2016.
Erik Pears- 49ers offensive lineman Erik Pears was the only former Ram to start all 16 games this season, and was a bright spot for San Francisco in a season filled with adversity. Despite losing a record number of starters in the 2015 offseason, as well as head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers had a big season-opening win over the eventual NFC North Champion Minnesota Vikings. San Francisco then went on to lose their next five games and ultimately, the midseason loss of their starting quarterback and running back was too much to overcome. The 49ers finished the season with a 5-11 record, as well as the 31st ranked offense in the NFL.
Ty Sambrailo- Despite a strong start for the Denver Broncos’ second-round draft pick, offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo injured his shoulder in Week 3 and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Sambrailo’s loss as the starting left tackle was certainly felt by the Denver offensive line, as the unit ended up finishing 20th in the league in sacks allowed. The former Ram is aiming to be healthy by the start of training camp, and is expected to return to a starting role for the 2016 season.
Shelley Smith- After being acquired by the Denver Broncos as a free agent prior to the season, Shelley Smith spent the first 10 games of the year as a healthy scratch for Denver, before being released following a Week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith was then reunited in Week 15 with his former squad the Miami Dolphins, but ultimately did not see game action this season.
Garrett Grayson- Colorado State’s all-time leading passer did not see game action in his rookie season after being a third-round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints, spending the year backing up veteran quarterbacks Drew Brees and Luke McCown.
Kapri Bibbs- Kapri Bibbs spent the majority of the year on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster for one game, but played solely on special teams and did not record a carry.
Nordly Capi- Nordly Capi spent two stints on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad and was ultimately signed to a reserve-future contract on January 4. Capi spent two seasons with the Rams (2010-11), before finishing his college career at the University of Akron.
