St. Louis Rams defense huddle. (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

The home season finale at the Edward Jones Dome didn’t go quite as planned. The score at half time ballooned to 30-7 and the Rams got lost searching for their missing offense. They’ve had a habit of starting games slowly and this time the deficit was too big to overcome.

All Day Made The Rams Pay

I fully expected the Rams to win Sunday. I knew Vikings powerhouse running back Adrian Peterson would run on the Rams. With that being said, I didn’t think I’d witness a 212-yard spanking. He did almost half of the damage on two runs in the second half: 82 yards that resulted in a TD and 52 yards that ended with a 51-yard field goal by kicker Blair Walsh. In all fairness to the Rams defense they did hold Peterson in check for a good portion of the game. It’s just that when he did break a couple of runs he really gored them.

The Usual Penalties 

The Rams offense drudged through the first quarter on their way to eight penalties. So last week’s two flags were the anomaly. Four false starts by the offensive line (seriously who gets called for false starts at home?!),  holding calls on left tackle Rodger Saffold, and my personal favorite the unsportsmanlike conduct taunting flag on wide receiver Brandon Gibson.

Just when the Rams have you believing they are headed in the right direction they take a detour the next game. This latest loss may have directed them out of the playoffs.

» Continue reading “36-22 Loss To Vikings Detours Rams Playoff Chances”

I guess I’m still a little hung over from the overtime victory from last Sunday. It was a game with highs and lows and acronyms from all over the emotional spectrum – WTH, LMAO, SMDH, and OMG!

It took the Rams ten quarters of gritty football and a bit of luck (another missed David Akers field goal) but they did the unthinkable – they beat the 49ers.

In the end the only three letters that really mattered were W.I.N.

RB Steven Jackson after the 49ers at Rams game. 12/02/12 (Personal Photo)

After the game the usually subdued Edward Jones Dome was the happiest I’ve witnessed all season. Rams fans were loud, proud, and whooping and a hollering.

A good sized crowd stayed long after to thank the players and the masses weren’t disappointed. Quarterback Sam Bradford, running back Steven Jackson, defensive end Robert Quinn, cornerback Cortland Finnegan and many others took time to sign autographs.

Fast forward a week to Sunday. Last week’s win is just that – in the past. This week brings its own unique challenges and a new team.

The Rams take on the Buffalo Bills – a team that they haven’t seen since the 2008 season where the Rams lost at home 31-14. The last time the Rams visited the Ralph (Wilson Stadium) was back in 2004 where they were defeated 17-37. The most recent Rams win over the Bills was in 1998 (34-33) at Buffalo.

Back to the present.

The biggest question heading into week 14 is can the Rams maintain that energy on the road in the “elements” and not have another let down game. The last thing fans want to see is a repeat of the Jets-Rams loss.

Week 14 marks an pivotal point in the St. Louis Rams 2012 season.

With a victory in Buffalo the Rams will have accomplished the following:

1) Get back to a .500(ish) record.

They are stoking an overall 5-6-1 record. A win in Buffalo will get them back to an equal number of wins and losses.

2) Three consecutive wins in a row.

The Rams haven’t won three games in a row since week 15-17 during the 2006 season where they bested the Oakland Raiders, the Washington Redskins, and the Minnesota Vikings. A very very long time ago from a season far far away.

3) Two consecutive road wins.

We don’t have to go as far back for this one. Look no further than weeks 12-13 at Denver and at Arizona in 2010, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford‘s rookie season.

» Continue reading “St. Louis Rams At Buffalo Bills Week 14 Preview”

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.

Key Game Status Updates

Rams’ WR Danny Amendola is ACTIVE and will give it a go it seems. Probably more of a decoy but we’ll see.

Rams inactives: QB Austin Davis, WR Steve Smith, RB Terrance Ganaway, LB Mario Haggan, OL Chris Williams, T Joe Barksdale, DT Matt Conrath per STLouisRams.com.

Cardinals inactives include QB Kevin Kolb, RB Alphonso Smith, G Senio Kelemete, T Pat McQuistan, WR Early Doucet, TE Todd Heap, DE Calais Campbell. DE Calais Campbell and WR Early Doucet inactive with injuries. TE Todd Heap is a healthy inactive today.

First Quarter

Cardinals start the quarter steady. Their rookie QB Ryan Lindley is doing a good job of getting his receivers involved by making passes to Andre Roberts, Larry Fitzgerald, and TE Rob Housler.

RB Beanie Wells not getting great push on the run so Lindley is making his mark by throwing to any rookie QB’s best friend, Fitzgerald. Wells gets his mojo back at the right time and rumbles into the end zone for the 1-yard TD.

Game is already getting chippy with unnecessary roughness penalties on Rams S Quintin Mikell and DE Chris Long has to be separated from what looked like Cardinals TE Jeff King.

» Continue reading “Rams At Cardinals Quarter Quick Hits”

In the immortal words of the Evil Emperor Zurg, “We meet again… for the last time.”

Okay, at least for the rest of this season. It would take a major miracle for these teams to meet in the “tournament” as Cardinals running back Beanie Wells calls it. Both are staring down the wrong side of .500 with five weeks to go in the season. The Rams haven’t won a game since beating the Cardinals in week 5 and you’d have to go back another week, to week 4, for Arizona’s last win.

The Cardinals would like to forget that Thursday Night Football game which turned out to be a primetime horror flick for 9-time sackee quarterback Kevin Kolb. The Rams, on the other hand, have already long deleted last year’s (week 12) 20-23 loss courtesy of return man extraordinaire Patrick Peterson and a record setting 228 yard rushing performance by Beanie Wells. 

Both struggling teams will welcome back two Wells on Sunday. Cardinals’ running back Wells will be making his return Sunday from a lingering toe injury as will the Rams’ own Scott Wells (center) who is rejoining his offensive line brethren.

A Nice Scott In The Arm

The Rams got some good news this week after a couple of weeks of waiting on center Scott Wells. He will be giving it a go this week against the Cardinals. This gives an ailing offensive line an immediate booster shot. Wells will resume his spot at center which means his stand in Robert Turner will be bumped to guard.  What Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said of Wells:

Obviously, there’s a quickness level there. Here’s a guy that has a wrestling background. He’s quick, bunch of experience. I think you put him in there and his ability just to kind of drive the whole ship, take charge and to get on people has been great. I’m real proud of how he’s worked throughout the injury, getting his mind caught up. It will be nice to have him out there this week.

» Continue reading “St. Louis Rams At Arizona Cardinals Week 12 Preview”

Rams Teammates Gather A Prayer Circle For Rodger Saffold (Personal Photo)

This is not the same old Rams. Yes, they lost the game with two minutes left in the game. Yes, Sam Bradford went down and took a sack to end the game. Yes, we had the false start, stupid personal foul, and offensive holding. But this is not the same old Rams.

The guys at Turf Show Times asked how I’d describe the new 2012-2013 Rams in one word. My answer:

Fisher.

This was just after a third Rams defensive player intercepted Lions QB Matthew Stafford. CB Janoris Jenkins, LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, and CB Cortland Finnegan (Pick 6) all new Fisher additions to the team.

These Rams are competitive and actually got my heart pumping and my stomach churning – in a good way.  The old Rams just made me take down some pillars.

» Continue reading “Rams Lose 27-23 In A Close One Against The Lions”

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Rams RB Daryl Richardson (Courtesy STLouisRams.com)

Well that was interesting… I had five questions/things to watch and I think they were pretty much answered. Let’s just get into it, shall we?

What I learned from the Rams loss at Dallas:

1) They need to go back to fundamentals. For a team that is lead by a defensive minded head coach their tackling was atrocious. And that’s being nice. Even veterans like Cortland Finnegan were grabbing high (weird for a shorter-ish corner). I’d expect growing pains from the rookies Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson but Finnegan, Quintin Mikell, and Craig Dahl. C’mon guys. In all fairness, those guys did make some plays but the ones they missed were just maddening.

2) The 2011-2012 Sam Bradford reared his skittish head. No movement in the pocket just killed him in the first half. I know he’s still trying to shake the bad memories of being sacked 36 times in 10 games last season but he has to get more mobile. Which leads me to wonder if his doesn’t want to test out that ankle just yet. Wish Bradford had more “escapability.” He finished the night going 6 of 17 for 67 yards.

3) Daryl Richardson is the rookie RB we are excited about. At one point I had to ask myself who was the second round pick and who was the seventh round selection. Pead is still struggling to find open holes (or create them for himself) while Richardson is making headway. Both shared time with the ones and Richardson shined just a bit brighter. Pead finished the night 9 carries for 22 yards while Richardson went for 51 yards on 10 touches. At this point do we crown Richardson RB2? Pead hasn’t shown enough to say no.

» Continue reading “Rams Take A Step Back In 19-20 Loss To Dallas”

As the Rams head on down to the Jones Mahal this weekend to play the traditional all important third preseason game Coach Fisher said the following on how he balances the need to evaluate players fighting for roster spots with the need to keep fresh legs:

You have to use the practice field and you have to use the games. We do the best we can. We spend hours as a staff discussing play time, and how many snaps, and who’s going to play with whom and who needs this or who needs that. So you do the best you can under limited opportunities.

1) How does the offensive line look with Wells at center? At this point it may sound like a broken record but the offensive line.  Center Scott Wells will be returning to the playing field this week for QB Sam Bradford.  They are still developing chemistry but it will come along as time goes by.  But don’t expect too much playing time from Wells.  The Rams will be easing him into regular in-game snaps.  RT Barry Richardson took reps with the first team this week and I don’t expect that to change in the game. Looks like Jason Smith may have permanently lost the starting position.  The line did a good job protecting Bradford against the Chiefs but they will be facing a much more complex Rob Ryan defense in Dallas.

2) Will Isaiah Pead shake off the nerves and play better? (No more dropsies and being patient for blocks to develop.) With RB Steven Jackson about to see limited playing time I’ll be very interested in seeing how presumed back-up Isaiah Pead and third stringer Daryl Richardson look with the ones.  Pead looked a bit off kilter in the Kansas City game.  Holes closed up and he did a lot of back pedaling and side stepping.  His stat line of 6 carries for negative 5 yards for one TD reflect the kind of day he had.  Richardson, on the other hand, made a smoother transition from the practice field to the playing field – 8 carries for 35 yards.  Quick, decisive, and made the most of the small gaps he found.  Is his success a function of going up against the twos and threes?  This week’s game should give us a clearer answer.

» Continue reading “Preseason Week 3: Rams At Cowboys Preview”

How do you start your work day?  If you’re a social media addict like me the first thing I do when my eyes open is lean over for my iPhone and check Twitter.

Seems like some Rams rookie prepare for their work day in a similar fashion.  They reach for their smart phones and tweet their morning salutations to Twitterverse.

Rams rookie WR Chris Givens always starts his day with a simple “#GodFirst.”

But today, not too long after his signature greeting he tweeted this reply to his fellow rookie but defensive teammate CB Janoris Jenkins.

I think we’re going to see a fun practice today.

As iron sharpens iron so shall Givens and Jenkins.  They will only get better as they challenge and battle each other.

Now onto Rams news and notes.

» Continue reading “Pigskin Cover 3: Wednesday Edition”

St. Louis Rams

Good morning.  Here are your daily news links as we slowly start getting into football mode for the preseason.  You’ll find some oldies but goodies (Oh look, the Rams have concerns to the usual suspects and positions.) and a nice recap of Monday’s practice.

There’s also information regarding a tweetup today after the links so make sure you check that out.

As usual, Alexander is battling - Danario Alexander is the best and worst kind of story at any NFL training camp.  The Rams wide receiver is the guy with the irresistible tale that everyone wants to root for because you know what he’s gone through to get here. But it’s also the star-crossed story that ultimately breaks your heart because pro football’s cruel and impatient nature has no time to wait on the happy ending we all want for the former Mizzou star.  ”He obviously has some talent,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “But we just have to keep him out there.”  Read more at St. Louis Post-Dispatch >>>>

St. Louis Rams Training Camp: Recap of Monday’s Practice - The St. Louis Rams returned to the practice field on Monday after a day off.  The team held its annual scrimmage on Saturday, billing it as “Fan Fest” and holding the event at the Edward Jones Dome for the first time in the franchise’s 18-year stay in St. Louis.  Held out of Saturday’s glorified practice were center Scott Wells, offensive tackles Ryan McKee and Rodger Saffold, rookie fullback Todd Anderson, tight ends Lance Kendricks and Deangelo Peterson, and running back Daryl Richardson.  All but Wells practiced on Monday. The only other player not to participate was defensive tackle Trevor Laws. Read more at Bleacherreport.com >>>> 

Rams’ defensive backfield getting healthier - The Rams were getting so low on cornerbacks for a while during training camp that coach Jeff Fisher cut out a period in practice.  ”We were a little nervous last week towards the end,” Fisher said.  But as expected, three cornerbacks and four defensive backs total returned to the field Monday as the Rams got back to work following a day off Sunday.  Cornerbacks Josh Gordy, Jerome Murphy and Kendric Burney returned, as did safety Darian Stewart. They all took part in 11-on-11 work during Monday afternoon’s practice at Rams Park after being sidelined a few days last week mainly because of general leg soreness and tight hamstrings. Read more at St. Louis Post-Dispatch >>>> 

On an event note, if you’re in town please make sure you come out to Rams Camp today.  Practice is open to the public and starts at 3:30 p.m. at the ContinuityX Training Center in Earth City.  Afterwards, the guys from Turf Show Times is hosting a tweetup with special guests Rams “President” Kevin Demoff and Rams General Manager Les Snead.  If we’re lucky @LesSneadHair may make an appearance, too.  Okay, he probably won’t but hey, a girl can dream.