In week 10, the first meeting between the two teams ended in a 24-24 tie. It was an unbelievable foot stomping, hair pulling, deep sighing tie. The ups and downs that occurred just in the 15 minutes of overtime were enough to render a Dramamine sedated fan nauseous. Here are my real time game notes if you’re wanting to relive the roller coaster ride.

Even though the Rams and 49ers are playing again in the span of four weeks, Sunday’s week 13 match up will not be the same for four reasons.

1) Rams will most likely be without wide receiver Danny Amendola.

Amendola has not practiced all week nursing a foot injury. He’s been seen off and on with a walking boot at Rams Park which is never a good sign even, if precautionary. He was a big reason for the Rams success against the 49ers in week 10 with 11 receptions for 102 yards. (And that’s not including the 80-yard bomb that should have counted but got wiped out by stupid penalties.)

Amendola is officially listed as doubtful.

2) The 49ers will be getting their first real glimpse at rookies cornerback Janoris Jenkins and wide receiver Chris Givens.

The Rams dynamic duo got into some dynamic trouble on the business trip to the Bay Area a few weeks ago. Coach Fisher put his foot down and the two were relegated to running stairs during pre-game warm ups and watching helplessly on the sidelines.

Since coming off the figurative naughty chair the two have made a big impact – especially last week against the Cardinals. Jenkins returned two INTs for touchdowns (He scored 12 of the team’s 31 points) and Givens had five receptions for 115 yards and 1 TD.

3) Rams center Scott Wells will be playing.

The anchor(man) of the Rams offensive line, (I am Scott Wells?) was not available in week 10 but returned last week. His presence immediately upgrades the line in turn upgrades the offense.

» Continue reading “San Francisco 49ers At St. Louis Rams Week 13 Preview”

I’m going to try something new (Thanks to our Broncos  writer, Brenda.) by jotting down observations, big plays, and anything else that stands out during each quarter.

Let’s see how this goes…

First quarter

The big news of the afternoon: Rookies Janoris Jenkins (CB) and Chris Givens (WR) – INACTIVE for today’s game. On top of that third string DT Kellen Heard was released. All stemming from what the Rams are calling a violation of team rules.

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DT Michael Brockers and DE Robert Quinn share a sack on 49ers QB Alex Smith.

The Rams must have read my game preview. They marched down the field 66 yards with the ground and pound via Steven Jackson in the opening drive. This set up a 36-yard TD from Sam Bradford to rookie wide receiver Brian Quick. Welcome to the game, Mr. Quick. We’ve been waiting for this type of play from you.

Rams defense doing their best to stop RB Frank Gore and the Niners run game. DT Jermelle Cudjo with a big third down tackle for loss. So far so good.

More ground work as Steven Jackson rumbles in 7 yards to score the Rams second TD. They are up 14-0 with 1:47 left in the first quarter. Yep, you heard right. First quarter.

The Rams are pumped and taking it to the 49ers right now. I think they are a little stunned. I know I am.

» Continue reading “Rams At 49ers: Quarter Quick Hits”

The running joke on my Twitter timeline was: “At least the Rams didn’t lose last week.” How quickly some fans turn on this team is quite alarming to me. Maybe it’s from years of losing and they just don’t want to get their hopes up. For others, they were happy that they were able to watch stress-free football on Sunday and watch other teams’ fans sweat it out.

Either way everyone is back to where they started. Rams fans are biting their fingernails and wiping the perspiration off their brows. While their beloved Rams are heading to the best west coast to take on the Niners for the first time this season.

This week their biggest weapon is also slated to make a much needed return. St. Louis’ No. 1 receiver Danny Amendola will be back in the line up for the Rams. Let’s just say it and get it over with – Sam Bradford‘s security blanket is back on the field. Hopefully this leads to more first downs and more importantly more points scored.

Five Things I’ll be watching for in Week 10

1) Channeling their inner Peanut.

During the three game losing skid the Rams have failed to get takeaways from their opponents. According to ESPN.com the Rams are -2 in the give-and-take column. They have only forced two fumbles all season and coming up with only one of them.

Compare that to Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman four forced fumbles on his own last week against the Tennessee Titans. Enough said. Do you think the Rams defense did some ball punching drills this week? I would have.

» Continue reading “St. Louis Rams At San Francisco 49ers Week 10 Preview”

Almost the hero of the day - QB Kellen Clemens (Courtesy of STLouisRams.com)

We got to the Edward Jones Dome car pool style with family and friends in tow.  We weren’t going to miss the last game of the season also known as “Fan Appreciation Game” for Rams’ fans.   I won all six tickets via an auction and a trivia contest – it was clearly meant to be.  But did it mean a victory for the Rams?  Apparently I’m not a good luck charm.  Rams lost to the 49ers 34-27 with a late fourth quarter rally to almost tie up the game.

What I liked about the game

- QB Kellen Clemens 18-yard rushing TD.  As you can see from the picture above he flew into the end zone.  What it doesn’t show you is how he shed tackles and juked his way to the goal line.

- K Josh Brown coming up clutch in both long distance field goals (48 and 49-yards) after missing two last week against the Steelers.  Thanks for taking note of my rant.  No hard feelings I hope, Mr. Brown.  Just in case we run into each other at school.

- This time K Josh Brown and LB Bryan Kehl (recovered) came up big as they perfectly executed the onside kick.  I guess the third time is the charm.  The Rams were able to score a Cadillac Williams 1-yard TD.

- The defense as a whole pitched in.  Yes, the Rams have their usual playmakers like LB James Laurinaitis (9) and S Quintin Mikell (7) but today no less than fifteen separate Rams players had two or more tackles in the game.  Five others with one tackle.

- RB Steven Jackson also got my note and ran for 76 yards on 16 carries today.  He was a measly 19 yards on 10 carries in their first meeting.  He suffered an arm injury and sat out the fourth quarter.

- WR Brandon Lloyd caught 6 passes for 100 yards and 1 TD.  A vast improvement from the one reception for 34 yards in week 13.

What I didn’t like about the game

- All the stinkin’ red and white 49ers’ jerseys in the stands.  At certain points of the game I couldn’t tell which was the home team cheering.

- And despite all the Rams and 49ers fans the seats in the Edward Jones Dome was eerily empty.

The "sold out" season finale at Edward Jones Dome (personal photo)

- A horrific first quarter 38-yard punt by P Donnie Jones giving the 49ers field position at the Rams 33 yard line.

- That lead to an 8-yard scamper by 49ers QB Alex Smith into the end zone for his own rushing TD.  What a copy cat!

- As good as many contributed in making tackles there were a few that were BIG misses.  The one that stood out for me was the one missed by DE Chris Long which lead to the above Alex Smith TD.  Ouch.  That ankle injury has really hampered Long’s performance on the field.  He was a half step slower in the game.

- The trick play that backfired in the first quarter: RB Jerious Norwood attempts a pass to QB Kellen Clemens.  Instead the ball gets intercepted at the Rams 45 leading to a 28-yard TD from Alex Smith to Michael Crabtree.  Norwood doesn’t have a background in passing as far as I know so I’m not sure what in the hell McDaniels was thinking.  Maybe he was itching to try that play.  Norwood’s pass was acceptable but the fact that he didn’t throw it at a real receiver but instead tossed in the direction of the quarterback acting like one was head scratching.  I’d like to ask him about that one.

- The fake field goal turned into a give me TD for the 49ers.  How in the world do you not count the men of the field???  49ers’ K David Akers lines up for a routine field goal attempt.  But no one noticed that WR Michael Crabtree was lined up at the end.  He never went out of bounds and was able to slide right back in without sitting out a play.  Ball gets hiked and Akers just lobs the ball to Crabtree who trotted completely uncovered in the end zone. Joke’s on the Rams.

Overall I thought the Rams fought the good fight.  They didn’t get shut out, they improved in almost all aspects of the game compared to their first meeting.  Unfortunately, it was the same outcome.

I can’t say this bodes well for Spags.  Black Monday is almost here and I think we can surely expect a big shake up at Rams Park.

Rams finish the season 2-14.

Here’s to 2012.  Happy new year Rams fans.

It’s that time again, folks.  It’s a Saturday night and I know you’re all just so excited at the prospect of watching your Rams duke it out with the NFC West division leading San Francisco 49ers.  It’s their first meeting of the season – unfortunately for the Rams.

Honestly, when the season first started I had imagined the records of the two teams reversed.  Never in a million years did I think Jim Harbaugh could turn the 49ers around as he has.   The team has taken on their coach’s personality and have bought into the tough as nails Harbaugh Way.  He’s basically taken the same players and have them functioning as a TEAM.  That there folks is what a good coach does.  It’s about how they come together as a team.

Most surprising is how QB Alex Smith has managed to control the offensive game of the 49ers.  He’s operating with his seventh offensive coordinator in seven years.  People had written Alex Smith off about three years ago but here he is leading his team to the second best record in the NFL.  Just goes to show you, you just never know.

Do the Rams have any chance to beat the 49ers?  Probably not.  The best results we could realistically expect is to get through this game without placing more Rams players on the IR.  It’s getting quite crowded, you know.  At last count it was 13.

So perhaps it’s just coincidence (or fortuitous luck) on Sam Bradford‘s part to be suffering from a high ankle sprain.  Because if I had any sympathy for Bradford (and had any gauge on how important #8 is to the franchise) I wouldn’t be playing him behind an O-line that couldn’t protect their QB from a rally squirrel attack.

Next man up is QB A.J. Feeley.  Can he lead the Rams to another shocking win against a heavily favored opponent like he did with the Saints?  Again, most likely not.  Then again…  You know the drill.  In the wake of Feeley starting the Rams had to waive LB Ben Leber to make room for the emergency and now back up to Feeley, QB Tom Brandstater.  Welcome back, Tom.

(Insert the obligatory “What a great free agent signing Leber was.” and the “Why in the world did the Rams let go QB Thaddeus Lewis and LB Jabara Williams?” rants.)

Week 13: Rams at 49ers

What the Rams offense needs to do:

Normally this would be part of the post where I’d write, “Protect Sam Bradford.”  But with Bradford safely manning the clipboard on the sideline I think the offensive line can rest a bit easier.  They have him listed as a GTD (game time decision) but I highly doubt he’ll be playing.

Haha, sorry Mr. Feeley.  It’s just not going to be your day.  You’re going to be chased by the Smith Brothers.  Okay, they’re not really brothers but the Mizzou products DT Justin Smith and rookie LB Aldon Smith will be wreaking havoc.  They can’t lose sight of LB Patrick Willis or CB Carlos Rogers either.

Feeley still has to try and get the ball out to WR’s Brandon Lloyd, Brandon Gibson, and to the returning Danario Alexander.  They’ll need to spread out the 49er defense so Steven Jackson can get some running room.

This is also the spot where I’d say “run the rock” but the 49ers are number one in rush defense.  But that doesn’t mean RB Steven Jackson won’t give it a legitimate go at it.  What else can the Rams do in this case, right?  He’ll have to fully turn on the Beast mode and we’ll see where that leads.  I’m hoping he can get at least some running game going.  Maybe looking at 70 yards rushing and one TD?  Maybe I’m being too optimistic.

Speaking of beast mode… You know what Steven Jackson’s sweet tooth craves, don’t you?  It’s been well documented that his sweet snack of choice is none other than – Skittles.  Worked well for Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch so why not for Steven Jackson.  Go get the man a Costco size bag of it, STAT!

What the Rams defense needs to do:

Make some plays!  Okay, I’ll settle for just some solid tackling at this point.  I fear the defense will have to come up with some points to keep this game respectable.  But with DE Chris Long listed as probable with his own ankle injury it could be a long afternoon for the defense.  Hope you guys worked on your cardiovascular endurance because you might be out there a very long time.

The Rams secondary will already be without SS Darian Stewart (concussion) so let’s pray they don’t lose anyone else back there.

49ers RB Frank Gore is averaging 82.6 yards/game coming into this game.  Look for that average to take a big leap after Sunday.  The Rams rushing D has been a great vehicle for opposing RB’s to boost their stats.  Ask Cowboys’ RB DeMarco Murray (253 yards) and Cardinals’ RB Beanie Wells (228 yards).

That doesn’t mean you can ignore the passing game though.  Alex Smith can still chuck a ball or two to WR’s Michael Crabtree and Braylon Edwards and his scary TE Vernon Davis.

What the Rams special teams need to do:

Contain return man Ted Ginn Jr.  You saw what Cardinals’ return dude Patrick Peterson did to the Rams in two games.  Ted Ginn Jr. is just as capable of breaking one as well.

Who will win:

The 49ers will win this game with a score of 28-10, win their tenth game to go 10-2, and with it clinch (yes, I said CLINCH) in the 13th week the NFC West division title.

Rams inch ever so close to that second pick in the draft falling to 2-10.

If you’re a fan of Mike and Mike in the Morning you know it’s that time of the year again.  Greeny and Golic do their own two-a-days each fall.  Haha, and before you start laughing at the prospect of Greeny doing anything close to something athletic, calm down.  They cover two teams a day answering 5 questions surrounding two NFL teams and give their predictions for the final season record.

1) Does the entire 2011-2012 season rest entirely on the arm of QB Sam Bradford?

Not entirely, but with all those rookie records, yes, a lot will be riding on Sam.  He will have a lot of help from RB Steven Jackson though.  The Rams have to expect Sam Bradford to take that next step in his development and lead the team to the division title.

Sam Bradford's 2010-2011 Stats

2) Can Steven Jackson rush over 1,000 yards with the additions of Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood?

Being the competitive athlete he is, Steven Jackson will not want to give up playing time and reps to his back-ups.  But to his chagrin those few breathers on the sideline will give him fresher legs to prolong his NFL career.

Jackson had a team high leading 330 carries.  His back-up, Kenneth Darby, only 34.  Look for Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood to take a bite or two out of that pie.

Rams 2010-2011 Rushing Leaders

3) Which Rams WR will have a breakout season?  Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson or Mike Sims-Walker?

Obviously, they haven’t been paying much attention to what’s been transpiring at training camp.  If they had even taken a quick looksie they would have discovered the other targets that Sam has at his disposal.

Second round draft pick TE Lance Kendricks has been getting lots of reps with the first team offense as well as third and fourth round picks WR’s Austin Pettis and Greg Salas.  But don’t turn a blind eye to the veterans on the team either.  Mardy Gilyard, Donnie Avery, Danario Alexander, and Dominique Curry are all still lurking in the background.

Look for McDaniels to have Sam spread the ball around to as many receivers as he can.

Rams 2010-2011 Receiving Stats

4) Do you expect to see DE’s Chris Long and James Hall maintain their level of performance from last season?

Chris Long had 8.5 sacks and James Hall with 10.5 sacks.  The Rams actually had 43 sacks putting them #7 in the league.  Most of those sacks coming from the D-line.

Expect the Rams first round draft pick, Robert Quinn, to ease into the lineup this season.  He’s still learning his way around an NFL D-line.  But from what I saw he’s got potential and could make a contribution to that sack total this season.

5) How will the Rams finish this season?

Greeny and Golic both have the Rams 9-7 and winning the division.  *Seattle’s line is blank as they will be covered on August 29.

Mike and Mike's (& Liam's Mum's) Projections for the 2011-2012 Season

Greeny was not at all banking on any of the other QB’s in the division: the 49ers QB Alex Smith, Seahawk’s Tavaris Jackson, and even Arizona’s Kevin Kolb.

By the way, Liam’s mum has NO IDEA about football (or horse racing and basketball for that matter) yet she was eerily good at predicting such things.  Should we feel some comfort in the fact that she loves the Rams?

A stat you didn’t know:

Sam Bradford‘s favorite target, Danny Amendola, tied Cardinal’s WR Larry Fitzgerald for the league lead in red zone targets.  Greeny didn’t say exactly how many and I for one am looking into this.  I’ll get back to you guys once I get an answer from the stat guru Mike Clay.

Well, there you have it.  Mike and Mike’s Rams two-a-days.  Sounds like they’ve partaken in the Rams kool-aid.  What do you guys think?

No 1st round QB’s taken by Arizona, San Francisco, or Seattle.  They all must be banking on the fact that they will be able to get some good veteran free agent help once they are able to sign players.  Oh, wait.  The 8th Circuit Court issued a temporary stay last night!  Never mind.  This could take a while then.

Arizona Cardinals

Round 2.6 (38th overall):  They select Ryan Williams, the 5′ 9″ 212 lbs. RB from Virginia Tech.  Look out Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells.  You guys have some competition coming your way.

Round 3.5 (69th overall): Is it sad that I can’t even name the current Cardinals TE?  Well whoever he is he’s gonna get to know the Florida Atlantic product, Robert Housler.  Housler stand 6′ 5″, 248 lbs. and is a good pass catcher.

San Francisco 49ers

Round 2.4 (36 overall from DEN): Now I think I like this selection.  The 49ers take Colin Kaepernick, QB from Nevada.  He’s a tall 6′ 5″ 233 lbs. passer with potential but he still has to transition from a pistol formation to a pro style offense.  Does this mean that Alex Smith will be the starter for a while?

Round 3.16 (80th overall from JAX): Chris Culliver, DB from South Carolina.  He is also a kick returner and could contribute the special teams game.  Just hope he’s fully recovered from this torn pectoral muscle which caused him to miss the last few games in 2010.

Seattle Seahawks

No Round 2 picks.

Round 3.11 (75th pick overall from DET): They picked up another big cog to pull up the O-line in selecting John Moffitt, G from Wisconsin.  He’s 6′ 4″ and 319 lbs.  Still begs to question what Pete Carroll is planning on doing at the QB position.