Kellen Clemens (Courtesy of STLouisRams.com)

“Comfortability” with Schottenheimer

Eleven days in December. That’s all newly signed quarterback Kellen Clemens had to bite off and digest an abridged yet complex Josh McDaniels playbook before getting his first NFL start in two years.

Clemens played a good game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 considering the circumstances. He threw for 25 completions on 36 attempts for 229 yards and led the Rams on a late-game charge by throwing a 25-yard touchdown to wide receiver Danario Alexander.

But alas, the Rams came up just a bit short and lost the game 20-13. Clemens finished out the season as the Rams starter while Sam Bradford nursed his high ankle sprain and A.J. Feeley sat with a broken thumb.

Now fast forward to OTAs in June of 2012. McDaniels is now back in New England at his old post as Bill Belichick’s right-hand man and the Rams reunite Clemens with his former offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, from his days with the Jets.  Clemens spent five seasons (2006-2010) with Schottenheimer in New York backing up Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez.

So how much of those experiences translate into the 2012 offensive playbook that the Rams are installing right now? I would have thought it was more similar than different but it’s not that simple. Schottenheimer has different pieces to work with here, unlike those in New York.

“I think there’s certainly some carry over offensively,” Clemens said. “Schotty has done a very good job of adapting what he does to what Sam (Bradford) does well and what’s here. He’s always done a very good job of putting the playmakers that he has in the best situation possible to make plays.  He’s doing that. There are some tweaks and some different wrinkles that we’ve got going on here.”

» Continue reading “One-On-One With Rams QB Kellen Clemens”

Rams D just can't do it all. (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

It’s Marshall Faulk week in St. Louis as the Rams honor the newest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  That also meant the team would be doning the lucky throw back uniforms for the occasion.  But even the lucky throw back uni’s couldn’t over come the Rams.  They drop their twelfth game to the Bengals 20-13.

Playmakers?

Okay, I’m a big proponent of stocking up on good players on the line.  In fact, some of us were having this debate pre-game.  Bengals QB Andy Dalton launches a deep 55-yard bomb to rookie WR A.J. Green.  The toss was actually overthrown but the athletic Green reaches out and catches the pass.  But with Green’s plays today I might have to rethink my draft philosophy.  Green finished the game with a right shoulder injury, 6 receptions, and 115 yards.

‘Cause it’s the same old song.

The Rams defense does it’s job in the first half by holding the Bengals to 3 points.  We just had to hope they didn’t run out of gas by the 4th quarter from being on the field too long.

DE Robert Quinn with a blocked punt, LB James Laurinaitis with key plays, and LB Brady Poppinga are keeping the Rams in the game.

But then the oh too familiar pattern of self inflicted penalties and getting worn down by the 4th quarter.  One that hurt was one on DE Eugene Sims for a questionable roughing the passer penalty that extended the drive for the Bengals which resulted in a field goal.  Which leads me to this…

Let ‘em play ball

But this time the referees decided to get into the action.

Jerome Boger and his crew was inconsistent at best today.  They miss at least two helmet to helmet calls on Rams QB Kellen Clemens yet call a ticky tack fouls on CB Rod Hood (pass interefernce) and unnecessary roughness on CB James Butler.  These calls gave momentum and the ball to the Bengals which turned the tide.

My favorite penalty, which I thought was totally worth it, was the personal foul on OL Harvey Dahl.  Jerome Boger’s mic was still live when it caught Harvey Dahl sharing some choice verbiage with the referee.  That wasn’t holding, ref, is what he was trying to say but more emphatically.  Summed up my frustrations, exactly.

Kellen Clemens to the rescue?  

For someone who’s been with the team for count ‘em all eleven days, fourth (?) string QB Kellen Clemens did a heck of a job today.  Yes, they didn’t win the game but Clemens hung in there, took some hits to the helmet (some NOT CALLED), and performed decently.  25 for 36 which resulted in 229 yards and 1 TD for a passer rating of 95.7.  But I think Clemens wearing #10 doomed him in the end.  There’s more bad joojoo associated with that number a la Marc Bulger.  I would have taken a different number, Mr. Clemens.

Clemens connected with passes to six different Rams receivers (his number one target being RB Steven Jackson with 9 catches for 72 yards).

Worth noting is the fact that Clemens didn’t turn the ball over.  But again, it just wasn’t enough in the end to get that elusive W.

Hot seat

Does another loss make the seat any hotter than it already is?  Spags and OC Josh McDaniels‘ bums have to be feeling that much warmer.  Why not go for it on fourth down when there’s really nothing to lose – than another game.  Go out fighting and being agressive.  These passive and safe play calling was frustrating to watch.

Game balls to:

OL Harvey Dahl for his eloquent speech and to QB Kellen Clemens for his gutsy rendition of Marc Bulger.

Oh well, onto the Steelers in Pittsburgh for Christmas Eve.