The St. Louis Rams step out of conference play as they return home to the Edward Jones Dome to host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Both teams are looking to rebound from tough road losses in Week 2. The Rams dropped a 28-16 decision to the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, while Baltimore fell to the Tennessee Titans, 26-13, in Nashville. The Rams and Ravens have met four times since the inception of the Baltimore franchise in 1995, and the series is tied, 2-2. The home team has won each of the previous four meetings. While St. Louis fell short last week, the Rams saw several individuals shine. QB Sam Bradford set a new career high with 331 passing yards, while WR Danario Alexander logged 122 receiving yards for his first 100-yard game of his career. For the second-consecutive week, DE Chris Long recorded a sack, and fellow DE James Hall notched his first sack of the year. RAMS RETURN HOME T O FACE RAVENS Day Date Opponent Time TV Sun. 9/11 Philadelphia L 31-13 Mon. 9/19 at N.Y. Giants L 28-16 Sun. 9/25 Baltimore 3:05 p.m. CBS Sun. 10/2 Washington Noon Fox Sun. 10/9 Bye Week Sun. 10/16 at Green Bay Noon Fox Sun. 10/23 at Dallas 3:15 p.m. Fox Sun. 10/30 New Orleans Noon Fox Sun. 11/6 at Arizona 3:15 p.m. Fox Sun. 11/13 at Cleveland Noon Fox Sun. 11/20 Seattle 3:05 p.m. Fox Sun. 11/27 Arizona Noon Fox Sun. 12/4 at San Francisco 3:15 p.m. Fox Mon. 12/12 at Seattle 7:30 p.m. ESPN Sun. 12/18 Cincinnati Noon CBS Sat. 12/24 at Pittsburgh Noon Fox Sun. 1/1 San Francisco Noon Fox 2011 SCHEDULE VISIT OUR MEDIA WEBSITE AT MEDIA.STLOUISRAMS.COMTED CREWS - SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS TCREWS@RAMS.NFL.COM - 314-516-8797 ARTIS TWYMAN - DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS ATWYMAN@RAMS.NFL.COM - 314-516-8759 JULIA FARON - MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR JFARON@RAMS.NFL.COM - 314-516-8766 CASEY PEARCE - PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR CPEARCE@RAMS.NFL.COM - 314-516-8765 Wednesday, Sept. 21 -Practice: 4 p.m. -Coach Spagnuolo & QB Sam Bradford available on field after practice -Open locker room immedi- ately following practice Conference Calls: Ray Lewis, 11 a.m. John Harbaugh, 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 -Practice: Noon -Coach Spagnuolo, RB Steven Jackson available on field after practice -Defensive Coordinator Ken Flajole & Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels available Friday, Sept. 23 -Practice 10:55 a.m. -Coach Spagnuolo available on field after practice. -Open locker room immedi- ately following practice Saturday, September 24 No Availability Sunday, September 25 Rams vs Ravens Edward Jones Dome 3:05 p.m. Monday, September 26 Coach Spagnuolo Press Conference 2 p.m. THIS WEEK’S MEDIA AVAILABILITY DE Chris LongBROADCAST INFORMATION TELEVISION CBS(KMOV, Channel 4 St. Louis) Play-by-Play: Kevin Harlan Color Analyst: Solomon Wilcots RADIO WXOS (101.1 FM) Play-by-Play: Steve Savard Color Analyst: D’Marco Farr Sideline Reporter: Tony Softli WEE K 3 B ALTIMORE R AVENS (1-1) A T S T . L OUIS R A M S (0-2) Sunday, September 25, 2011, Edward Jones Dome, 3:05 p.m.
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• Patriots Longest Streak: One game (twice - 1996, 2007)
• Regular Season Point Total: Rams 94 - Ravens 91
• Most Points, Rams: 33, Rams 33-22 (2003)
• Most Points, Ravens: 37, Ravens 37-31, OT (1996)
• Most Points, both teams: 68, Ravens 37-31, OT (1996)
• Fewest Points, Rams: 3, Ravens 22-3 (2007)
• Fewest Points, Ravens: 10, Rams 27-10 (1999).
• Fewest Points, both teams: 25, Ravens 22-3 (2007)
THE SERIES AT A GLANCE
2011 Statistics
Rams (rank) Ravens (rank)
14.5 (28) Points Per Game 24.0 (15)
351.0 (18) Total Offense 307.0 (25)
106.5 (14) Rush Offense 107.5 (12t)
244.5 (14t) Pass Offense 199.5 (25t)
27:47 Time Of Possession Average 28:20
29.5 (28) Opponent Points Per Game 16.5 (5)
351.5 (20) Total Defense 372.0 (22)
137.6 (27) Rush Defense 70.4 (4)
235.3 (25) Pass Defense 302.0 (28)
6/39 Sacks Made/Yards 4/34
1/0 Interceptions By/Yards 4/29
-1 (19t) Turnover Differential +5 (2)
9.7 (9) Punt Return Average 4.0 (30)
22.8 (17) Kickoff Return Average 35.8 (4)
5.7 (9) Punt Coverage 4.8 (6)
21.8 (11) Kickoff Coverage 34.3 (28)
11/43.8 Punts/Average 10/46.1
TAL E OF THE TAPE
SERIES HISTORY V S. RAVENS
Year Result Location
1996 Ravens, 37-31 (OT) BAL
1999 Rams, 27-10 StL
Year Result Location
2003 Rams, 33-22 StL
2007 Ravens, 22-3 Bal
NOTABLE CONNECTIONS
Former Rams:• Ravens RB Coach Wilbert Montgomery was on the Rams’ coaching sfrom 1997-99, instructing running backs from 1997-99 and 2003-05 and tends from 2000-02.• Ravens Director of Pro Personnel Vincent Newsome played for the Rafrom 1983-90.
• Ravens OL Mark LeVoir played for the Rams in 2007 and spent the 20offseason with St. Louis.• Ravens CB Danny Gorrer appeared in three games with the Rams in2009.
Former Ravens:• Rams C Jason Brown was drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round i2005 and spent his first four NFL seasons in Baltimore.• Rams DT Justin Bannan played for the Ravens from 2006-09.• Rams DT Gary Gibson signed with the Ravens as an undrafted rookiefree agent in 2005 and spent his first training camp with Baltimore.
St. Louis Ties:• Ravens OL Coach Andy Moeller coached at Mizzou from 1994-99.• Ravens OLB Coach Ted Monachino is a native of Bethany, Mo. andplayed at the University of Missouri.
Coaching Connections:• Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo and Ravens Head Coach JohnHarbaugh were both members of the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staffrom 1999-2006.• Rams Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels and Ravens LinebackerCoach Dean Pees coached together with the New England Patriots.• Rams RB Coach Sylvester Croom and Ravens General Manager OzzNewsome were teammates for one season at the University of Alabama• Rams Special Teams Coordinator Tom McMahon was Ravens SpeciaTeams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg’s assistant special teams coach inAtlanta in 2007.• Rams QB A.J. Feeley was a member of the San Diego Chargers in 20when Ravens Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron held the same positon Marty Schottenheimer’s staff.• Rams General Manager Billy Devaney was the Director of PlayerPersonnel in San Diego when Ravens Assistant Strength & ConditioningCoach John “Mother” Dunn was the Chargers’ strength coach. Devaneand Dunn also worked together with the Washington Redskins.
NFL Teammate Connections:• Rams DT Fred Robbins, OL Adam Goldberg and LB Ben Leber playwith Ravens C Matt Birk and T Bryant McKinney with the Vikings, andRams OL Coach Steve Loney was Birk and McKinney’s position coach Minnesota.• Rams DE James Hall and Ravens DE Cory Redding were teammateswith the Detroit Lions.• Rams TE Stephen Spach and Ravens WR Anquan Boldin were teammates with the Arizona Cardinals.• Rams DT Justin Bannan and Ravens WR Lee Evans played togetherwith the Buffalo Bills.• Rams QB A.J. Feeley and Ravens RB Ricky Williams played togethewith the Miami Dolphins.• Rams G Harvey Dahl and RB Jerious Norwood were teammates with
Ravens CB Domonique Foxworth with the Atlanta Falcons.
College Teammate Connections:• Rams K Josh Brown and Ravens P Sam Koch played together atNebraska.• Rams DT Gary Gibson and Ravens RB Ray Rice played together atRutgers.• Rams S Quintin Mikell and Ravens CB Chris Carr played together atBoise State.• Rams T Rodger Saffold and Ravens WR Tandon Doss played togethat Indiana.• Rams RB Cadillac Williams and Ravens G Ben Grubbs played togetat Auburn.• Rams DT Justin Bannan and Ravens C Andre Gurode played togethat Colorado.• Rams LB Bryan Kehl and Ravens TE Dennis Pitta played together atBYU.
2009- St. Louis Rams Head Coach2007-08 New York Giants Defensive Coordinator2004-06 Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers2001-03 Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Backs1999-2000 Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Assistant1998 Frankfurt Galaxy (NFLE) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers1996-97 Bowling Green University Defensive Backs1994-95 Rutgers University Defensive Backs1994 University of Maine Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers1993 University of Maine Defensive Backs1993 San Diego Chargers Scout1992 Barcelona Dragons (WLAF) Defensive Line/Special Teams1990-91 University of Connecticut Defensive Coordinator/Def. Backs1987-89 University of Connecticut Defensive Backs1984-86 Lafayette College Defensive Line/Special Teams1983 Washington Redskins Player Personnel Intern
1982-83 University of Massachusetts Graduate Intern
Steve Spagnuolo enters his third season as head coach of the St.Louis Rams. In 2010, Spagnuolo’s team made a six-game improve-ment from 2009, finishing in second place in the NFC West. Thesix-game swing marked the second best turnaround in the NFL from2009 to 2010. The Rams finished with a 5-3 home record, the firsthome winning record since 2004. In addition, the Rams improvedtheir team net turnover ratio from -13 in 2009 to +5 in 2010. TheRams forfeited only six fumbles, the second fewest in the NFL.
Spagnuolo’s 2010 Rams made considerable improvements in allthree phases last season. Defensively, the Rams jumped 10 spotsn total defense in 2010. On the offensive side of the ball, the Ramsaveraged 7.2 points per game more in 2010 than in 2009, largely byplaying smart football that saw the team rank tied for eighth with 21
turnovers last season.
Spagnuolo came to the Rams after a stellar career as defensivecoordinator of the New York Giants and was the architect of thedefense that shut down the high-octane New England Patriots in theGiants’ stunning 17-14 win in Super Bowl XLII.
Spagnuolo spent eight seasons (1999-2006) with the PhiladelphiaEagles, serving as defensive assistant/safeties from 1999-2000,defensive backs coach from 2001-03 and linebackers coachfrom 2004-06. From 1999-2005, the Eagles played in four NFCChampionship games and one Super Bowl.
Spagnuolo coached for 18 years in the college ranks and in pro-fessional football in Europe before joining the Eagles. Spagnuolo
served as defensive line/special teams coach with the BarcelonaDragons of the WLAF in 1992 and was defensive coordinator/line-backers coach for NFL Europe’s Frankfurt Galaxy in 1998.
A wide receiver at Springfield (Mass.) College from 1978-81,Spagnuolo coached collegiately at Massachusetts (1982-93),Lafayette (1984-86), Connecticut (1987-91), Maine (1993-94),Rutgers (1994-95) and Bowling Green (1996-97). Spagnuolo alsoworked as a pro personnel intern for the Washington Redskins in1983 and as a scout with the San Diego Chargers in 1993.
A native of Whitinsville, Mass., Spagnuolo is married to wife, Maria.
John Harbaugh is in his fourth season as the Ravens’ head coacand after leading the club to the playoff in each of his first threeyears at the helm.
Harbaugh, who established a reputation as one of the NFL’s topspecial teams coaches, is the third head coach in team history.Coach Harbaugh arrived in Baltimore with 24 years of pro and colege coaching experience, including the previous 10 seasons witthe Philadelphia Eagles. He was the Eagles’ special teams coachfrom 1998 through 2006 and headed Philly’s secondary in 2007.
Harbaugh’s Philadelphia special teams were consistently rankedamong the NFL’s best. From 2000-05, Philly’s units finished in thtop 10 in five of those seasons in the comprehensive special tea
rankings. In 2001 and 2003, the Eagles ranked No. 1 according tthe Rick Gosselin composite (includes 22 kicking-game categorieFollowing the 2001 season, Harbaugh was voted the NFL’s SpecTeams Coach of the Year by his peers.
Harbaugh, a graduate of Miami (Ohio) – where he played defensback – is from a football family. His father, Jack, is a 41-year coaing veteran who won the 2002 NCAA Division I-AA football championship as the head coach at Western Kentucky. His brother Jimwho was the Ravens’ starting QB in 1998, played 14 seasons in NFL and is the current head coach at Stanford. (Their sister Joanmarried to Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean.)
Among John’s 24 years of coaching is a two-year stint as theassistant head coach at the University of Cincinnati (1995-96).(The Bearcats finished 6-5 both seasons.) John coached 10 yearon offense and four on defense at the college level, launching hiscoaching career in 1984 at the age of 21 as a graduate assistantfor his father at Western Michigan. In his second position at theUniversity of Pittsburgh (1987), he was mentored by the legendaSid Gillman, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. John also coached theTEs at Pitt under head coach Mike Gottfried.
While at Cincinnati (1989-96), Harbaugh coached special teams,TEs, OLBs, RBs and was also the recruiting coordinator. John wpart of a staff that helped Cincinnati produce three out of four winning seasons (1993, 1995-96) for the first time in 20 years.
“Harbs” also coached one season at Indiana in 1997 as the DBscoach/special teams coordinator under Cam Cameron, the Ravecurrent offensive coordinator, and one year at Morehead State in1988 as the DBs coach/special teams and strength and conditioncoordinator.
J OHN H ARBAUGH
NFL Coaching Year: 14th year
Ravens Head Coach: 4th yearRegular Season: 33-17-0 (.660)
Postseason: 4-3 (.571)
H ARBAUGH , AT A G LANCE
2008- Baltimore Ravens Head Coach2007 Philadelphia Eagles Asst. Head Coach/Secondary1998-2006 Philadelphia Eagles Asst. Head Coach/Secondary1997 Indiana University Head Coach1995-96 Univ. of Cincinnati Def. Coordinator/Secondary1985-88 Univ. of Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator1983-84 Morehead State Linebackers1981-82 Pittsburgh Special Teams/Linebackers
RB Steven Jackson raced into Rams his-tory midway through the 2010 season ashe passed Hall of Famer Eric Dickersonto become the franchise’s all-time leadingrusher.
There are only two running backs inthe NFL who hold the franchise rushingrecord for the team that they currently
play for: Jackson and Carolina’s DeAngeloWilliams.
Jackson rushed for 56 yards on just twocarries in Week 1, including a 47-yardtouchdown run on the team’s first offensiveplay of the game, before a quad injury kept him out of the final threequarters as well as last week’s game.
His 56-yard performance in Week 1 gave Jackson 8,004 for hiscareer. Among active running backs, Jackson ranks fourth in careeryards.
With 1,241 yards in 2010, RB Steven Jackson became the first plain Rams history to record six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
streak of six straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons is the longest ac
streak in the NFL.
Jackson finished eighth in the NFL and third in the NFC in rushin
2010. Since becoming a starter in 2006, Jackson posted yearly ru
ing totals of 1,046, 1,528, 1,002, 1,042 and 1,416 yards in add
to his 2010 total.
Consecutive 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons In Rams History
Consecutive Seasons Years
Steven Jackson 6 2005-10
Eric Dickerson 4 1983-86
Marshall Faulk 3 1999-2001
SIX IN A ROW
RB Steven Jackson looks to extend his franchise record for 1,000-yard seasons to seven.
RAMS ALL-TIME LEADING RUSHERS
Eric Dickerson7,245 yards
Marshall Faulk6,959 yards
Steven Jackso8,004 yards
Lawrence McCutcheon6,186 yards
Dick Bass5,417 yards
RB Steven Jackson is currently tied with
Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for the sec-
ond-most 100-yard rushing performances
as a Ram. SJ39 reached the century mark
four times last season to give him 27 such
games in his career.
Jackson needs 11 100-yard games to tie
Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, who rushedfor 100 yards in 38 games, for the most in
team history.
In his eight-year career, Jackson has
never faced the Ravens. He was inactive
when the teams met in 2007.
Career 100-yard Games in Rams History
Eric Dickerson (1983-87) 38
Steven Jackson (2004- ) 27
Marshall Faulk (1999-2005) 27
Lawrence McCutcheon (1972-79) 22
CENTURY MARK
RB Steven Jackson
RB Steven Jackson provided the Ramswith their first touchdown of the 2011 sea-son when he raced 47 yards for a score onthe team’s first offensive play against theEagles in Week 1.
Jackson’s score was his 48th rushingtouchdown of his career, pulling him within
10 of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson’s fran-chise record and within eight of anotherHall of Famer, Marshall Faulk, for secondon the team’s all-time list.
Throughout his career RB Steven Jackson has shown the ability tocatch passes out of the backfield and while lined up at receiver. Inaddition to leading the team in rushing last season, Jackson rankedthird among Rams in receptions (46). With 327 career catches,Jackson ranks ninth in team history in the category. He needs just sixcatches to tie Jim Phillips for eighth on the team’s all-time list.
Since 2006, Jackson has registered 265 receptions for 2,161 receiv-ing yards (8.2-yard average). During that time, Jackson’s 265receptions rank second among all NFL running backs and his 2,161receiving yards rank fourth.
Receptions Leaders Among Running Backs, 2006-PresentRec Yards Avg. Long TD
Reggie Bush / NO-MIA 304 2,201 7.2 74 13
Steven Jackson / STL 265 2,161 8.2 64t 5
Brian Westbrook / PHI-SF 262 2,203 8.4 62t 16
Frank Gore/SF 261 2,188 8.4 48 9
L. Tomlinson/SD-NYJ 247 2,011 8.1 51t 7
CATCHING ON
RB Steven Jackson dives for the end zone on touchdown reception. The catch was one of 327 in
Jackson’s career.
RB Steven Jackson has shown the abilityto contribute in the rushing game and inthe receiving game. Since the start of the2006 season, Jackson leads the NFL with117.3 yards from scrimmage per game.
Since 2006, Jackson has 1,757 touchesfor 8,446 yards. His touches and scrim-mage yards are the most over that timeperiod.
Last season, Jackson ranked third in theNFC and ninth in the NFL with 1,624scrimmage yards. He gained 56 yards inWeek 1 before leaving the game with a quad injury.
In 2010, Jackson averaged 101.5 scrimmage yards per game, ming the fifth consecutive season he’s averaged at least 100 yafrom scrimmage per game. The streak dates back to his first yas an NFL starter in 2006. He averaged 145.9 scrimmage yardsgame in 2006.
In 2006, Jackson recorded 2,334 yards from scrimmage, the fhighest single-season total in NFL history. That season Jackrushed for 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns on 346 attempts.
added 806 yards receiving on 90 catches. The 90 catches rank sin NFL history in one season among running backs.
Yards From Scrimmage/Game Leaders, 2006-PresentGames Touches Yards Yds/Ga
Steven Jackson / STL 77 1,757 8,446 117.3
Adrian Peterson / MIN 63 1,362 7,197 114.2
Frank Gore / SF 72 1,547 8,100 112.5
L. Tomlinson / SD-NYJ 79 1,655 8,078 102.3
Matt Forte/ CHI 50 1,023 5,055 101.1
J ACK OF ALL TRADES
RB Steven Jackson
A week after becoming the franchise’sall-time leading rusher last season,Steven Jackson made another movetowards a significant Rams record.
With 64 total yards in Week 8 againstCarolina (59 rushing, 4 receiving),Jackson passed WR Henry Ellard forfourth in franchise history in yards fromscrimmage.
In Week 10, Jackson became thefourth Ram and 80th player in NFL his-tory to reach 10,000 career scrimmageyards. Last season, Jackson rankedthird in the NFC and ninth in the NFLwith 1,624 scrimmage yards.
Jackson now has 10,664 career scrimmage yards. Ellard, whoplayed for the Rams from 1983-93 and later coached the team’s widereceivers, posted 9,816 total yards while wearing the horns.
Jackson needs just 356 scrimmage yards to tie Marshall Faulk forthird all time among Rams.
Rams All-Time Leaders, Yards From ScrimmageYears Rushing Rec. Total
Isaac Bruce 1994-07 150 14,109 14,259
Torry Holt 1999-08 57 12,660 12,717
Marshall Faulk 1999-05 6,959 4,071 11,030
Steven Jackson 2004- 8,004 2,670 10,664
Henry Ellard 1983-93 55 9,761 9,816
MAKING HISTORY
RB Steven Jackson
Throughout his career, RB Steven Jackson has been the definitio
a “bell cow” back as he’s willingly carried a sizeable workload forRams. Last season was no exception, as few in the NFL handledfootball more than Jackson.
SJ39’s 330 carries were second most in the NFL in 2010, traonly Atlanta’s Michael Turner. In addition, Jackson caught 45 paswhich gave him 376 scrimmage touches, second most in the NF
2010 NFL Leaders, Total Touches
Rush Rec. Total Yards
Arian Foster / HOU 327 66 393 2,220
Steven Jackson / STL 330 46 376 1,624
Ray Rice / BAL 307 63 370 1,776
Chris Johnson / TEN 316 44 360 1,609
Cedric Benson/ CIN 321 28 349 1,289
A WORKHORSE BACK
RB Steven Jackson finished second in the NFL in carries and total touches as the Rams once abenefitted from his reliability.
QB Sam Bradford made his markon the NFL record books with aspectacular season that turned outto be one of the best ever by arookie quarterback.
Bradford set NFL rookie recordsfor completions (354) and attempts(590), and his 3,512 passing yardsin 2010 are the second most by arookie in NFL history, trailing onlyPeyton Manning’s 3,739 in 1998.Bradford’s 18 touchdowns are tiedfor fifth most among rookies in NFLhistory.
The top overall pick in last year’sdraft is one of just three rookiequarterbacks in NFL history to passfor 3,000 yards in a season. During a midseason stretch, Bradset an NFL rookie record with 174 consecutive attempts withouinterception. Bradford was named Offensive Rookie of the YeaThe Associated Press .
Rams QB Sam Bradford set a new single-game career high last
week as he passed for 331 yards against the New York Giants. He
completed 22-of-46 throws with one touchdown and no intercep-
tions in his Monday Night Football debut.
The performance was Bradford’s second 300-yard game of his
career. His first came in Week 12 of 2010 when he threw for 308
yards in a St. Louis win over the Denver Broncos.
This week, Bradford’s Rams square off against the Baltimore
Ravens, who also feature a young quarterback who had a stellarrookie season not long ago. Below is a look at Joe Flacco’s statis-
tics during his 2008 rookie season compared to those of Bradford
last season.
Comp.% Yards TDs INTs Rating
Joe Flacco 60.0 2,971 14 12 80.3
Sam Bradford 60.0 3,512 18 15 76.5
SLINGIN’ SAM BRADFORD
QB Sam Bradford’s numbers during his rookie season compare favorably with other quarterbacks chosen in the first round in recent years, including those of his Baltimore counterpart this week.
During his standout rookie season, Rams
QB Sam Bradford saw his name attached
to numerous NFL rookie records.
While proud of his statistical accomplish-
ments, Bradford has always maintained
that the win-loss column is really the only
item he’s interested in tracking.
That being the case, Bradford did make
an impact in his favorite statistic. His
seven wins are the most by a rookie
quarterback drafted number one overall
since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Bradford took over a team that went 1-15 in 2009 and led the Rams
to a 7-9 record.
Most Wins By a Rookie Quarterback Chosen #1 (Since 1970)
Year Team Record
Sam Bradford 2010 Rams 7-9
Jeff George 1990 Colts 6-7
Jim Plunkett 1971 Patriots 6-8
Drew Bledsoe 1993 Patriots 5-7
John Elway 1983 Broncos 4-6
David Carr 2002 Texans 4-12
JUST WIN, BABY!
QB Sam Bradford
QB Sam Bradford
Rams QB Sam Bradford added to his tro-
phy case last January when he was voted
Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the
Year by a select group of writers.
As a sophomore at Oklahoma, Bradford
won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top
college player. When he added Offensive
Rookie of the Year honors last season, he
became just the seventh player and first
quarterback to win both the Heisman and
the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The other players in that elite group include
University of Pittsburgh/Cowboys RB Tony Dorsett, Texas/O
RB Earl Campbell, Oklahoma/Lions RB Billy Sims, South Caro
Saints RB George Rogers, Southern Cal./Raiders RB Marcus Al
Oklahoma State/Lions RB Barry Sanders and Ohio State/Oilers
Steve Spagnuolo’s swarming defenseis predicated on takeaways and pres-sure, and the Rams have becomeadept at forcing turnovers.
Last week against the Giants, SQuintin Mikell ended New York’sopening drive when he intercepted EliManning. In Week 1 vs. Philadelphia,the Rams ended an Eagles drivewhen Mikell sacked Michael Vick and
forced a fumble, which LB JamesLaurinaitis recovered.
Mikell’s interception last week markedthe eighth-consecutive game in whichSt. Louis has recorded at least one takeaway, tied for the fifth longestactive streak among NFL teams.
Last season, the Rams’ second under Spagnuolo, St. Louis finishedthe year with 26 takeaways, which was six more than the Rams hadin 2009. Rams defenders intercepted eight passes in 2009 and had14 in their second season under Spagnuolo. The Rams forced 19fumbles as well, which was the fifth most in the NFL according toStatsPass.com.
St. Louis finished last season plus-5 in turnover ratio, which was 10thbest in the NFL. In 2009, the Rams finished the season tied for 30thwith a minus-13 turnover ratio, a plus-18 swing in turnover ratio.
Most Consecutive Games With at Least One TakeawayConsec. Games
1. New York Giants 152. New England Patriots 133. Oakland Raiders 124. Carolina Panthers 115t. St. Louis Rams 85t. Kansas City Chiefs 85t. Minnesota Vikings 88. Philadelphia Eagles 7
TAKE IT AWAY
S Craig Dahl
The Rams were one of the best teams in the NFL when it camgetting after the quarterback in 2010, and they’re off to a good sin 2011 as well.
St. Louis has recorded three sacks in each of its first two games season, and the team’s total of six is tied for sixth best in the NDE Chris Long leads the way with 2.0 sacks. Long finished secamong Rams in the category last season with 8.5, while James Hwho recorded dropped Eli Manning Monday night for his first sthis season, paced the team with 10.5.
In 2010, the Rams recorded 43 sacks on the season as a tewhich ranked seventh in the NFL. St. Louis saw a dramatic improment when it came to reaching the opposing quarterback. In 20the club ranked 30th in the NFL with 25 sacks. No team in NFL experienced a bigger increase in sacks last season than Rams’ 18. Detroit also enjoyed an 18-sack increase, while KanCity (+17) and the New York Giants improved by 14 sacks.
2010 NFL Leaders, Team SacksTeam Sacks1. Pittsburgh Steelers 482t. Green Bay Packers 472t. Oakland Raiders 472t. San Diego Chargers 47
5. New York Giants 466. Detroit Lions 447. St. Louis Rams 43
SACK ATTACK
DE Chris Long closes in on Eli Manning for one of the Rams’ three sacks last week. The Ramshave six sacks as a team through three games this season, tied for sixth most in the NFL.
S Quintin Mikell, who signed with theRams as a free agent this summer,has provided an immediate impact onSt. Louis’ defense.
The nine-year veteran has provideda takeaway in each of his first twogames in St. Louis. In his Rams debut,
Mikell sacked Eagles QB Michael Vickand forced a fumble, which was recov-ered by LB James Laurinaitis.
Last week in New York, Mikell endedthe Giants’ opening drive of the gamewhen he intercepted Eli Manning deepin New York territory.
Mikell, who spent his first eight NFLseasons with the Eagles, boasts career totals of 5.0 sacks andinterceptions. Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo was Mikell’s ption coach during Mikell’s first NFL season and in all, the two spfour seasons together in Philadelphia.
WELCOME ABOARD
S Quintin Mikell celebrates an inter- ception with LB Ben Leber.
The Rams’ ability to get off
the field on third down defen-
sively was a crucial part of
their success in 2010, and
St. Louis was clutch on third
down last week in New York.
The Giants converted just
5-of-15 third downs and were
just 1-of-7 in the first half.
St. Louis finished the 2010season ranked second in the
NFL on third down as oppo-
nents converted just 33.5 percent against the Rams.
2010 NFL Leaders, Third Down Defense
Team Conversion %1. New York Giants 31.72. St. Louis Rams 33.53. Pittsburgh Steelers 33.54. San Diego Chargers 33.75. New Orleans Saints 34.5
GET OFF THE FIELD!
DE James Hall, CB Bradley Fletcher and LB Chris Chamberlain stop Ahmad Bradshaw on third down dur- ing last week’s game in New York.
LB James Laurinaitis led all NFL rookie linebackers in tackles in 2009,
and he followed up his stellar rookie campaign with a strong perfor-
mance in his sophomore NFL season. Laurinaitis led St. Louis with
129 stops last season and became the first Ram since Pisa Tinoisoma
to record 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons.
Laurinaitis rarely comes off the field, and he played in a team-high
1,093 snaps in 2010. His ability to help in the passing game as well as
the run is a huge asset for the Rams. The former Ohio State Buckeye
had seven passes defensed, one interception and three sacks on the
year. Among Rams, only starting cornerbacks Ron Bartell (13) and
Bradley Fletcher (12) had more pass breakups.
Last week against the Giants, Laurinaitis had a team-best 14 tackles.
In Week 1, he had six tackles, two passes defensed and recovered a
fumble after S Quintin Mikell knocked the ball away from Michael Vick.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Linebacker James Laurinaitis enjoyed another productive season as he led the Rams in tackles and made numerous plays in the passing game while rarely leaving the field.
DE James Hall recorded his first sack of the season last week when
he dropped Eli Manning, and in his 12th NFL season, Hall continues
to be a rock for the Rams’ defense.
In 2010, Hall led St. Louis with 10.5 sacks on the year and also
recorded 57 tackles, including two for loss. Hall also led the Rams
and tied for second in the NFL with six forced fumbles last season.
Hall now has 58.0 career sacks. His 10.5 sacks last year was his
second-highest single season total of his career (11.5 in 2004). He
finished last season ranked ninth in the NFC in sacks.
A HAL L OF A PLAYER
DE James Hall had 10.5 sacks in 2010, which was his second-best season total of his 11-year career. He’s seen here sacking Matt Cassel during a preseason game in August.
DE Chris Long is off to a hot sta2011 as he’s picking up from whhe left off a year ago.
Long has picked up a sack in eof the Rams’ first two games to him 2.0 on the season. He’s recorded at least one sack in 9his last 13 games. Monday marthe seventh time Long has recora sack in back-to-back weeks du
his four-year career.
According to StatsPass.com, Lwas credited with 36 combined qterback hits and knockdowns season, which tied with SeahaDE Chris Clemons for the ninth m
in the NFL last season.
In Week 6 against San Diego, Long turned in his first two-sack pemance of the season and second of his career. For his efforts, Lwas named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
LONG ON TALENT
DE Chris Long
The Rams’ opening day roster featured nine veteran free agents, they can only hope they’ll make the impact that DT Fred Robbinsas a new addition last year.
Robbins, who had a tackle for loss last week against the Giants,a new career high with 6.0 sacks in 2010 and had a big impacthe Rams defense. He held off blockers to allow James Laurinaitrun free, and his pass rush acumen drew the attention of opposoffenses and helped his defensive line mates.
Among NFC defensive tackles, only Ndamukong Suh (10) and CuJenkins (7) had more sacks last season than Robbins’ 6. SaintsSedrick Ellis also had 6.
On the season, Robbins had 24 total tackles, including four for leight quarterback hits and seven passes defensed. He was areason why the Rams saw a big improvement against the run on third down.
Robbins came to the Rams after six seasons with the New YGiants. During two of those seasons, Steve Spagnuolo wasGiants’ defensive coordinator. It’s no coincidence that those campaigns were perhaps the best of Robbins’ career as he tiedprevious career high in sacks (5.5) in each of those seasons and a Pro Bowl alternate in 2008. He played a key role in New York’sto their Super Bowl XLII championship.
ROCKIN ’ ROBBIN S
Rams DT Fred Robbins drops Seattle RB Justin Forsett for a loss. After joining St. Louis as a freagent last spring, Robbins made a big impact on a much-improved Rams defense in 2010.
Last April, the Rams were thrilled to findIndiana T Rodger Saffold available at thetop of the second round. St. Louis choseSaffold with the 33rd overall pick andquickly inserted him in the starting lineup.
Saffold has now started all 18-consecu-tive games to start his career. Last sea-son, he was the only rookie left tackleto start every game for his team lastseason. According to Statspass.com,Saffold allowed only 3.5 sacks all sea-son while playing for a team that tied forthe fifth most passing attempts. Saffoldwas named to Pro Football Weekly ’s All-Rookie team last year.
Saffold was the fifth offensive tackle and seventh offensive linemantaken in the 2010 draft.
FRONT A ND CENTER
C Jason Brown has anchored the
Rams’ offensive line since his arrival
in the spring of 2009, and he’s been
a model of consistency throughouthis seven NFL seasons.
Brown has started 78 consecu-
tive contests, which is the fifth-lon-
gest longest active streak among
NFL centers. He’ll likely move to
fourth this week as one of the players
ahead of him, Jets C Nick Mangold,
is expected to miss some time with
an ankle injury.
Brown, who this week will face the
team that drafted him in 2005, hasn’t missed a start since entering
the Ravens’ starting lineup in 2006, his second NFL season.
During his career, Brown has blocked for three different 1,000-yard
rushers: Steven Jackson (1,416 in 2009 and 1,241 in 2010), Jamal
Lewis (1,132 in 2006) and Willis McGahee (1,207 in 2007). Brown
was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2009.
C Jason Brown
BLOCK PARTY
T Rodger Saffold
“RUNNING SMOOTH”
RB Carnell “Cadillac” Williams wasgiven his nickname by a high schoolbroadcaster in Alabama who describedWilliams as a back that “ran so smooth”
like a Cadillac.
Williams signed with the Rams as afree agent in August to backup StevenJackson. In the team’s 2011 opener,Jackson suffered a quad injury in thefirst quarter, and Williams was smoothin deed while playing in place of thethree-time Pro Bowler.
Williams rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries and caught 5 passes for59 yards against the Eagles. His rushing total was his highest sinceWilliams gained 129 yards in the 2009 regular season finale for theTampa Bay Buccaneers. His five receptions against Philadelphiatied Danny Amendola for the team lead.
RB Cadillac Williams
Rams WR Mike-Sims Walkermade a big impact for St. Louisin Week 2 as he narrowly missedrecording his eighth 100-yardgame of his career.
Sims-Walker, who signed withthe Rams in August after fourseasons with the JacksonvilleJaguars, led the Rams with sixcatches against the Giants andposted 92 receiving yards ver-
sus New York, and average of15.3 yards per catch. Four of his six catches last week went for downs.
The Rams signed Sims-Walker in hopes that he’d give the teabig-play presence. He caught seven touchdown passes in eacthe last two seasons as he was Jacksonville’s go-to receiver.
SIMS-WALKER’S BIG NIGHT
WR Mike Sims-Walker
Rams first-round draft pick RobertQuinn saw his first NFL action Mondaynight in New York and delivered his firstNFL sack in the process.
Quinn, the 14th overall selection in
April’s draft, dropped Eli Manning for an8-yard loss in the third quarter to givehim his first sack as a pro.
Getting to the quarterback was Quinn’sspecialty in college. As a sophomore in2009 at North Carolina, he was the run-ner up for the ACC’s Defensive Playerof the Year award as he recorded 11.0sacks for the Tar Heels.
QUINN NOTCHES FIRST SACK
DE Robert Quinn
WR Danario Alexander saw his first acof the 2011 season last week in New Yand he turned in a career-best performa
against the Giants.
Alexander caught three passes for a carhigh 122 yards and a touchdown. His nincluded a 68-yard catch and run. The pwas the longest catch of Alexander’s caand was also the longest completion ofSam Bradford’s career.
The performance allowed Alexander toover the 100-yard mark for the first t
in his career. Last season, he turned in games of 99 yards vs. Francisco and 95 yards at Denver.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT
WR Danario Alexander
The Rams signed 24 undrafted rookie freeagents this summer, and from that group,LS Jake McQuaide made the team’sWeek 1 roster. McQuaide, a former OhioState Buckeye, won the team’s long snap-ping job in training camp.
Current Rams WR Dominique Curry andS Darian Stewart made the opening dayroster after joining the team as undraftedrookie free agents last year. Other currentRams such as S James Butler, OL AdamGoldberg, DT Gary Gibson and S CraigDahl are among dozens of current NFL
players who have experienced success after going undrafted.
- Started all 16 games for Denver last sea-son, posting 35 tackles with a sack, a forcedfumble and four passes defended.
- Totalled 237 tackles, 6.5 sacks, threeforced fumbles and an interception in first
nine NFL seasons.
G Harvey Dahl6-5, 305 - 6th NFL season2010 Team: Falcons
- Has started 45 games at right guard overthe past three seasons. In his first season asa starter, the Falcons ranked sixth in the NFLin total offense and second in rushing.
- In each of his three seasons as a starter,
the Falcons ranked in the top 10 in fewestsacks per pass play.
8 Sam Bradford – Threw for a career-high 331 yards in Week 2 at New York. Has complete
39-of-76 passes for 519 yards with 1 TD and no interceptions on the season. Set rookie records fo
attempts and completions to earn AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Ranks third in history in passing yards by a rookie (3,065).
4 A.J. Feeley – Experienced veteran who has spent time as a starter and reserve througho
his 11-year NFL career. Saw first action as a Ram in Week 1 when he relieved Bradford in the fou
quarter. Has an extensive history with Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo from his time in Philadelphia
the coach.
RUNNING BACKS
39 Steven Jackson – Three-time Pro Bowler missed last week’s game with a quad injury.Rushed for 56 yards on two carries, including a 47-yard touchdown run on St. Louis’ first play from
scrimmage in Week 1. Left the game due to a quad strain. Has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in s
consecutive seasons.
49 Brit Miller – Started at fullback in Weeks 1 and 2 and led the way for a 154-yard rushing pformance by the Rams in Week 1 against the Eagles.. Finished second among Rams in special tea
tackles in 2010 despite spending just nine weeks on the active roster.
39 Jerious Norwood – Has rushed six times for 18 yards this season and is averaging 26.3 yper return on kickoffs. Speedy running back and returner signed with St. Louis in August after spening the first five seasons of his career with the Falcons.
35 Quinn Porter – Averaged 22.5 yards on four kickoff returns with a long of 32 in Rams deb
last week at Giants. Signed by the Rams off of Cleveland’s practice squad prior to Week 2.
33 Carnell “Cadillac” Williams – Gained 36 yards on 13 attempts last week vs. New York.
Rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries (4.8 avg.) and caught five passes for 49 yards in Rams debut.Named 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,178 and 6 touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVERS84 Danario Alexander – Posted a career-best 122 yards on three catches, including a touch-
down reception, in Week 2 at New York. Inactive Week 1 vs. Philadelphia. Finished rookie season
2010 with 20 receptions for 306 yards and one touchdown.
16 Danny Amendola – Missed Week 2 due to elbow injury. Caught five passes for 45 yards
2011 opener before leaving the game with a dislocated left elbow. Led the Rams with 85 receptionand 689 yards in 2010 and scored three touchdowns.
15 Dominique Curry – Special teams standout made Rams roster in 2010 as an undrafted fr
agent. Suffered season-ending knee injury in Week 3 win over Washington last season.
11 Brandon Gibson – Caught four passes for 52 yards in Week 2. Led Rams with 50 receivin
yards in Week 1 on three catches. Had 53 receptions for 620 yards and scored two touchdowns in2010.
83 Austin Pettis – Inactive Weeks 1 & 2. Rams third-round pick played in 51 games at BoiseState with 229 receptions for 2,838 yards and an astounding 39 touchdowns. Holds school records
yards and touchdown catches.
87 Greg Salas – Recorded four receptions for 27 yards in Week 2 at New York and had a
29-yard punt returnn. Caught one pass for 21 yards in NFL debut vs. Philadelphia. Fourth-round pplayed in 49 games at Hawaii, posting 285 catches for 4,345 yards and 26 touchdowns. Reception
total ranks third in WAC records and 15th in NCAA history.
10 Mike Sims-Walker – Posted six receptions for 92 yards in Week 2. Caught one pass for fyards in Rams debut vs. Philadelphia. Signed with the Rams in August as an unrestricted free age
Career totals include 123 rec. for 1,653 yards and 14 TDs and has caught 7 TD passes in each of
47 Billy Bajema – Saw action on offense and special teams in Week 2. Caught two passes f
21 yards and helped St. Louis rush for 154 yards in 2011 opener. Established new career highs wi
14 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns last season.
86 Michael Hoomanawanui – Caught one pass for eight yards in Week 2 vs. Giants. Inactiveto calf injury in Week 1. Hauled in 13 passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie.
88 Lance Kendricks – Recorded one reception for 26 yards in Week 2 at New York. Caught pass for 18 yards in NFL debut against the Eagles. Rams second-round pick recorded 43 catches
663 yards and five touchdowns last season at Wisconsin on his way to being a finalist for the MackAward as the nation’s best tight end.
81 Stephen Spach – Was inactive in Week 2. Saw action in Rams debut after signing with SLouis prior to Week 1. Has appeared in 40 games with 23 starts in six NFL seasons with Cardinals
Patriots and Eagles.
OFFENSIVE LIN E
63 Jacob Bell – Started at left guard in Weeks 1 & 2 after starting each of team’s 16 games
year ago. Helped St. Louis post 335 yards of total offense in Week 1 and 387 yards in Week 2.
60 Jason Brown – Has started 78 consecutive games, the fifth-longest active streak among
NFL centers. Helped St. Louis rush for 154 yards as a team in Week 1.
62 Harvey Dahl – Started at right guard in Weeks 1 & 2. Started 43 games at right guard forAtlanta Falcons over the past three seasons. Know for his aggressive, physical style of play.
73 Adam Goldberg – Saw action on special teams in Week 2. Relieved injured Jason Smith right tackle in Week 1. Started at right guard in each of the Rams’ 16 games in 2010. Has appeare
97 games with 58 starts while playing four different positions (LT, RT, LG, RG) during NFL career.
76 Rodger Saffold - Started at left tackle in Weeks 1 & 2. Second-round pick in 2010 draft w
second-team All-Big 10 performer at Indiana and was the only rookie in the NFL to start all 16 gam
at left tackle last season.
77 Jason Smith – Started at right tackle in Weeks 1 & 2 and started 15 games at the positio
2010.
64 Tony Wragge – Nine-year pro signed with the Rams prior to Week 1. Played on special
teams in Week 2 at New Yor. Was inactive vs. Philadelphia. Has appeared in 67 games with 15 stwith San Francisco and Arizona.
99 C.J. Ah You – Inactive with wrist injury in Week 2. Had two tackles, including one for lossWeek 1 against Eagles. Saw action in all 16 contests in 2010 and contributed 4.0 sacks and 19 tacles (nine solo).
95 Justin Bannan – Started each of first two games this season. Had one tackle in Rams devs. Philadelphia. Started all 16 games for Denver last season, posting 35 tackles with a sack, a forfumble and four passes defended.
71 Gary Gibson – Saw action at defensive tackle in Weeks 1 & 2. Started each of the Ramsgames in 2010 and had 30 tackles and two passes defensed on the year.
96 James Hall – Logged first sack of season and had four tackles against Giants. Recorded tackle for loss, one quarterback pressure and two quarterback hits in 2011 opener. Twelfth-year veeran led the Rams with 10.5 sacks last season. Has 57.0 career sacks. Had 51 tackles including for loss on the season.
72 Chris Long – Recorded a sack in second-consecutive game and logged three tackles at NYork in Week 2. Had one sack, one solo tackle and one quarterback hit vs. Philadelphia. Set a newcareer high sack total with 8.5 last year. Had 26 tackles and started all 16 games at left defensive
94 Robert Quinn – Notched first career sack last week in NFL debut vs. New York. Selected14th overall by the Rams in April’s draft. Racked up 86 tackles, 13 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss and
eight forced fumbles in just 25 games at North Carolina. Inactive Week 1.
98 Fred Robbins – Had two tackles, including one for loss, at New York. Had one assist in 2opener against Philadelphia. Recorded 24 total tackles, including four for loss, eight quarterback h6.0 sacks and seven passes defensed last year in his first season with St. Louis. Had one sack, twtackles, one pass defensed, and one fumble recovery in a victory against San Francisco in Week 1
97 Darell Scott – Recorded two tackles at NYG. Had one solo tackle against Philadelphia. Tyear pro and former fourth-round draft choice recorded 15 tackles last season.
92 Eugene Sims – Made one tackle in Week 2 at Giants. Logged two tackles vs. Eagles.Recorded eight tackles this season while seeing action in nine games as a rookie last year. TacklQB Troy Smith in the end zone for a safety against San Francisco and added two tackles.
DT Fred Robbins
LINEBACKERS57 Chris Chamberlain – Recorded three tackles against New York in Week 2. Started vs.
Philadelphia as Rams opened in nickel defense. Had one solo tackle. Started six games for the Rain 2010 and recorded 23 tackles and two passes defensed. One of St. Louis’ top special teams pformers.
56 Josh Hull – Saw action on special teams in each of first two weeks of 2011. Rams’ sevenround pick in 2010 out of Penn State. As a rookie, saw action on special teams in Week 1 before sfering season-ending knee injury in practice.
50 Bryan Kehl – Had one special teams tackle in Week 2. Saw action on defense in 14 gamlast season, posted 26 tackles, and earned one start. Claimed by the Rams off waivers from the NYork Giants prior to Week 2.
55 James Laurinaitis – Led the Rams with 14 tackles in Week 2 at NYG. Had six tackles, tw
passes defensed and recovered a fumble vs. Philadelphia. Led the team with 129 tackles in 2010,while adding 3.0 sacks, one interception, and seven passes defensed.
59 Ben Leber – Had four tackles against the Giants in Week 2. Recorded two tackles, two qterback pressures and one QB hit in Rams debut. Tenth-year pro joined the Rams in August afterseasons with the Vikings. Has started 111 of 136 career games and logged 483 tackles, 12 FFs & INTs.
51 Brady Poppinga – Credited with five tackles in Week 2 at New York. Had one QB pres-sure and one QB hit vs. Philadelphia. Won a starting job this summer after signing with the Rams a
an unrestricted free agent. Started 39 games over a three-year period with the Packers from 2006
through 2008.
52 Jabara Williams – Rams seventh-round draft pick was a two-time All American and two timall Southland Conference selection at Stephen F. Austin. Inactive in Weeks 1 & 2.
DEFENSIVE BACKS36 Tim Atchison – Added to Rams’ active roster prior to Week 2 and appeared on special te
against the Giants. Undrafted rookie free agent out of Baylor spent 2011 training camp with St. Lo
37 James Butler – Had one tackle vs. Giants. Saw action on defense and special teams in W
1. Saw action in 13 games in 2010. Had 26 tackles, two interceptions, and two passes defensed.Caught his second interception of the season against Carolina that led to a Josh Brown field goal.
43 Craig Dahl – Registered four stops in Week 2 at Giants. Led Rams with eight tackles in W
1. Totaled 93 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and four passes defensed in 15 games last sea
32 Bradley Fletcher – Had six tackles and one pass defensed in Week 2 vs. New York.
Recorded six tackles and two quarterback hits in Week 1. Finished 2010 season with 91 tackles, fointerceptions, and 11 passes defensed.
21 Al Harris – Saw action on defense and special teams in Weeks 1 & 2. Former Eagle and
Packer signed with Rams in August. Is a two-time Pro Bowler who was an alternate for three yearsbefore getting an overdue invite to Hawaii. Boasts 21 career INTs, 470 tkl and 4 sacks.
22 Jermale Hines – Rams fifth-round draft pick this year out of Ohio State. Emerged as one
the nation’s most touted safeties as a senior, earning All Big Ten honors as he started 12 games a
finished with the third most tackles (66) and an interception. Inactive Weeks 1 & 2.
21 Justin King – Started for the second-consecutive week and had nine tackles vs. NYG. Ha
six tackles, including two for loss, and two QB hits as well as first career sack in Week 1. Saw actioin eight games for the Rams in 2010. Logged 19 total tackles and two passes defensed.
27 Quintin Mikell – Registered seven tackles and first interception of the season against NewYork. Recorded three tackles, one sack and one forced fumble as he made his Rams debut agains
his former team in Week 1. Former Eagle earned his first Pro Bowl bid in 2009 after racking up 90tackles, 13 passes defended and a pair of interceptions.
20 Darian Stewart – Logged seven tackles against New York in Week 2. Had two tackles inWeek 1. Finished the 2010 season with 11 total tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed in 13
appearances for the Rams.
S Quintin Mikell
CB Bradley Fletcher
K Josh Brown
P Donnie Jones
S Jake McQuaide
SPECIALISTS
3 Josh Brown - Made all three of his field goal attempts in Week 2 at New York. Was 2-for-on field goal attempts in Week 1 and made a 49-yard kick against Philadelphia. Went 33-for-39 in
goal attempts last season and accumulated 125 points.
5 Donnie Jones – Averaged 44.7 yards per punt (42.3 net) on seven kicks in Week 2. Punt
four times for 42.3 average in Week 1. Finished 2010 ranked fourth in the NFC and eighth in the Nwith 45.5 gross average and third in NFL in net average (40.0).
44 Jake McQuaide – Has executed clean snaps on all 19 career attempts. Had a flawless devs. Eagles after winning Rams long snapping job this summer as a rookie free agent out of Ohio S
5 Donnie Jones P 6-2 220 7/5/80 31 8 Louisiana State Baton Rouge, La. RFA(MIA)-'078 Sam Bradford QB 6-4 224 11/8/87 23 2 Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Okla. D1-'10
10 Mike Sims-Walker WR 6-2 212 11/21/84 26 5 UCF Orlando, Fla. FA-'1111 Brandon Gibson WR 6-0 205 8/13/87 24 3 Washington State Puyallup, Wash. T(PHI)-'0915 Dominique Curry WR 6-2 223 8/16/87 24 2 Cal (PA) Philadelphia, Pa. FA-'10
16 Danny Amendola WR 5-11 188 11/2/85 25 3 Texas Tech The Woodlands, Texas FA-'0920 Darian Stewart S 5-11 214 8/4/88 23 2 South Carolina Huntsville, Ala. FA-'10
21 Justin King CB 5-11 197 5/11/87 24 4 Penn State Pittsburgh, Pa. D4A-'08
22 Jermale Hines S 6-1 218 11/11/87 23 R Ohio State Cleveland, Ohio D5-'1127 Quintin Mikell DB 5-10 204 9/16/80 30 10 Boise State Eugene, OR FA-'1131 Al Harris CB 6-1 194 12/7/74 36 14 Texas A&M (Kingsville) Pompano Beach, Fla FA-'1132 Bradley Fletcher CB 6-0 200 6/25/86 25 3 Iowa Youngstown, Ohio D3-'0933 Cadillac Williams RB 5-11 218 4/21/1982 29 6 Auburn Gadsden, Alabama FA-'1134 Jerious Norwood RB 5-11 205 7/29/1983 28 6 Mississippi State Jackson, Miss. FA-'1135 Quinn Porter RB 6-0 205 2/2/1986 25 1 Stillman Los Angeles FA-'1136 Tim Atchison FS 6-1 203 9/27/87 23 R Baylor Copperas, Texas FA-'1137 James Butler S 6-3 218 9/7/82 29 7 Georgia Tech Bainbridge, Ga. FA-'1139 Steven Jackson RB 6-2 240 7/22/83 28 8 Oregon State Las Vegas, Nev. D1-’0443 Craig Dahl S 6-1 212 6/17/85 26 5 North Dakota State Mankato, Minn. FA-'0944 Jake McQuaide LS 6-2 247 12/7/87 23 R Ohio State Cincinnati, Ohio FA-'1147 Billy Bajema TE 6-4 259 10/31/82 28 7 Oklahoma State Oklahoma City, Okla. UFA(SF)-'09
49 Brit Miller FB 6-1 253 9/15/86 25 2 Illinois Decatur, Ill. FA-'1050 Bryan Kehl LB 6-2 244 6/16/84 27 4 Bringham Young Salt Lake City, Utah FA'1051 Brady Poppinga LB 6-3 252 9/21/1979 31 7 Brigham Young Evanston, Wy. FA-'1152 Jabara Williams LB 6-2 238 7/6/89 22 R Stephen F. Austin Garrison, Texas D7B-'1155 James Laurinaitis LB 6-2 250 12/3/86 24 3 Ohio State Plymouth, Minn. D2-'0956 Josh Hull LB 6-3 245 5/21/87 24 2 Penn State Millheim, Pa. D7C-'1057 Chris Chamberlain LB 6-1 238 9/30/85 25 4 Tulsa Bethany, Okla. D7A-'0859 Ben Leber LB 6-3 245 12/7/78 32 10 Kansas State Vermillion, SD FA-'1160 Jason Brown C 6-3 320 5/5/83 28 7 North Carolina Henderson, N.C. UFA(BAL)-'0962 Harvey Dahl G 6-5 308 6/24/1981 30 5 Nevada-Reno Fallon, NV FA-'1163 Jacob Bell G 6-5 304 3/2/81 30 8 Miami (Ohio) Cleveland, Ohio FA-'1164 Tony Wragge C 6-4 310 8/14/1979 32 7 New Mexico State Creighton, NM FA-'1171 Gary Gibson DT 6-3 312 5/5/82 29 6 Rutgers Lafayette, N.Y. FA-'1173 Adam Goldberg G 6-7 305 8/12/80 31 8 Wyoming Edina, Minn. FA-'1176 Rodger Saffold T 6-5 314 6/6/88 23 2 Indiana Bedford, Ohio D2-'1077 Jason Smith T 6-5 308 4/30/86 25 3 Baylor Dallas, Texas D1-'0981 Stephen Spach TE 6-4 260 7/18/82 29 6 Fresno State Fresno, Calif. FA-'11
83 Austin Pettis WR 6-3 207 5/7/88 23 R Boise State Anaheim, Calif. D3-'1184 Danario Alexander WR 6-5 217 8/7/88 22 2 Missouri Marlin, Texas FA'1086 Michael Hoomanawanui TE 6-4 263 7/4/88 23 2 Illinois Bloomington, Ill. D5A-'1087 Greg Salas WR 6-1 209 8/25/88 22 R Hawaii Chino, Calif. D4-'1188 Lance Kendricks TE 6-3 247 1/30/88 23 R Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisc. D2-'1191 Chris Long DE 6-3 270 3/28/85 26 4 Virginia Charlottesville, Va. D1-'0892 Eugene Sims DE 6-6 265 3/18/86 25 2 West Texas A&M Mt. Olive, Miss. D6B-'1094 Robert Quinn DE 6-4 264 5/18/90 21 R North Carolina Ladson, S.C. D1-'1195 Justin Bannan DT 6-3 312 4/18/79 32 10 Colorado Sacramento, Calif. FA-'1196 James Hall DE 6-2 265 2/4/77 34 12 Michigan New Orleans, La. T(DET)-'0797 Darell Scott DT 6-3 317 3/15/86 25 3 Clemson Columbia, S.C. D4-'0998 Fred Robbins DT 6-4 322 3/26/77 34 12 Wake Forest Pensacola, Fla. UFA(NYG)-'1099 C.J. Ah You DE 6-4 265 7/7/82 29 3 Oklahoma Highland, Utah FA-'07
April 28 DE Robert Quinn selected in the first round (18th) in 2011 NFL Draft Aug. 2 DT Arthur Thomas Waived
April 29 TE Lance Kendricks selected in the second round (33th) in 2011 NFL Draft DT Daniel Muir signed as a free agent
WR Austin Pettis selected in the third round (78th) in 2011 NFL Draft Aug. 3 G Karri Kuuttila Waived
April 30 WR Greg Salas selected in the fourth round (112th) in 2011 NFL Draft LB Maurice Simpkins Waived
S Jermale Hines selected in the fifth round (158th) in 2011 NFL Draft DB Travon Bel lam y Waived
S Mikail Baker selected in the seventh round (216th) in 2011 NFL Draft RB Jerious Norwood signed as a free agent
LB Jabara Williams selected in the seventh round (228th) in 2011 NFL Draft LB Brady Poppinga signed as a free agent
S Jonathan Nelson selected in the seventh round (229th) in 2011 NFL Draft Aug. 4 NFL League Year Begins
July 27 DE Damario Ambrose Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent RB Chauncey Washington waived
SS Travon Bellam Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 5 LB David Nixon waived
G Bryant Browning Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent DT Teryl White waivedWR Jalil Carter Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent DT Gary Gibson signed as a free agent
DE Kenneth Charles Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent G Roy Watts signed as a free agent
S John Dempsey Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent RB Carnell Williams signed as a free agent
CB Diont Dinkins Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 6 G Bryant Downing waived
G Tyler Donahue Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent G Tyler Donahue waived
TE Ben Guidugli Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent G Adam Goldberg signed as a free agent
DT John Henderson Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent G Quinn Ojinnaka signed as a free agent
G Kevin Hughes Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 9 WR Jalil Carter waived
G Randall Hunt Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent K Todd Carter waived
T Karri Kuuttila Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent TE Demarco Cosby signed as a free agent
LS Jacob McQuaide Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent CB Jeremy McGee signed as a free agent
TE Schuylar Oordt Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 10 CB Chris Smith waived
QB Taylor Potts Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent WR Jared Jenkins signed as a free agent
CB Chris Smith Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 11 WR Jared Jenkins waived
FB Van Stumon Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 12 LB David Vobora waived
DT Arthur Thomas Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent LB Ben Leber signed as a free agent
DT Teryl White Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent CB Tae Evans signed as a free agent
RB Eddie Wide Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 15 QB Taylor Potts waived
July 28 CB Tim Atchison Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent WR Jared Jenkins signed as a free agent
LB Pete Fleps Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent Aug. 16 RB Eddie Wide waivedC Beau Warren Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent RB Chase Reynolds signed as a free agent
LB Larry Grant Rescind exclusive rights Aug. 19 T Roy Watts waived
July 29 TE Lance Kendricks Signed rookie contract T Cody Habben signed as a free agent
WR Austin Pettis Signed rookie contract Aug. 22 LS Chris Massey waived
WR Greg Salas Signed rookie contract Aug. 28 TE Schuylar Oordt waived
S Jermale Hines Signed rookie contract WR Jared Jenkins waived
S Mikail Baker Signed rookie contract WR Joe West waived
LB Jabara Williams Signed rookie contract Aug. 29 LB Na'il Diggs waived
S Jonathan Nelson Signed rookie contract DE Kenneth Charles waived
FS Quintin Mikell Signed as a free agent S John Dempsey waived
LB Chris Chamberlain Re-signed as a restricted free agent Aug. 30 DB Mikail Baker waived/injured
T Renardo Foster Re-signed as a restricted free agent DT Jermelle Cudjo waived/injured
G John Greco Re-signed as a restricted free agent DB Dionte Dinkins waived/injured
LB David Vobora Re-signed as a restricted free agent Aug. 31 WR Mark Clayton signed
DE C.J. Ah You Re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent CB Jerome Murphy placed on reserve/injured
WR Danny Amendola Re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent DT Marlon Favorite signed
CB Marquis Johnson Placed on Active/PUP DB Marquis Johnson placed on reserve/PUP
FB Brit Miller Placed on Active/PUP Sept. 2 DT Demario Ambrose waived
July 30 DE Robert Quinn CB Tae Evans waived
DE Robert Quinn Placed on Active/PUP LB Pete Fleps waivedG Mark Setterstrom released T Cody Habben waived
July 31 WR Andreww Hawkins Waived G Randall Hunt waived
DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen Waived CB Jeremy McGee waived
C Beau Warren Waived FB Van Stumon waived
G Harvey Dahl Signed as a free agent Sept. 3 WR Mark Clayton placed on reserve/PUP
LB Zac Diles Signed as a free agent DB Tim Atichison waived
CB Al Harris Signed as a free agent WR Donnie Avery waived
WR Mike Sims-Walker Signed as a free agent TE Demarco Cosby waived
G Jacob Bell Re-Signed as a free agent DT Marlon Favorite waived
LS Clint Mower waived T Renardo Foster waived
DT Justin Bannan Signed as a free agent WR Mardy Gilyard waived
S James Butler Re-signed as a free agent DT John Henderson waived
4 Feeley, A.J. 1 0 1 0 X DNP32 Fletcher, Bradley 2 2 0 0 RCB RCB11 Gibson, Brandon 2 2 0 0 WR WR71 Gibson, Gary 2 0 0 0 X X73 Goldberg, Adam 2 0 0 0 X X41 Guidugli, Ben 0 0 0 0 PS PS96 Hall, James 2 2 0 0 RDE RDE31 Harris, Al 2 0 0 0 X X66 Henderson, John 0 0 0 0 PS PS22 Hines, Jermale 0 0 0 2 IA IA86 Hoomanawanui, Michael 1 1 0 1 IA TE
70 Hughes, Kevin 0 0 0 0 PS PS56 Hull, Josh 2 0 0 0 X X39 Jackson, Steven 1 1 0 1 RB IA25 Johnson, Marquis 0 0 0 0 PUP PUP5 Jones, Donnie 2 0 0 0 X X
50 Kehl, Bryan 2 0 0 0 X X88 Kendricks, Lance 2 2 0 0 TE TE21 King, Justin 2 2 0 0 CB LCB55 Laurinaitis, James 2 2 0 0 MLB MLB59 Leber, Ben 2 1 0 0 X WLB91 Long, Chris 2 2 0 0 LDE LDE58 Lutrus, Scott 0 0 0 0 PS PS68 McKee, Ryan 0 0 0 0 PS PS44 McQuaide, Jake 2 0 0 0 X X27 Mikell, Quintin 2 2 0 0 FS FS49 Miller, Brit 2 0 0 0 X X67 Miller, Drew 1 0 0 0 X23 Murphy, Jerome 0 0 0 0
26 Nelson, Jonathan 0 0 0 0 PS34 Norwood, Jerious 2 0 0 0 X X
83 Pettis, Austin 0 0 0 2 IA IA51 Poppinga, Brady 2 1 0 0 X SLB35 Porter, Quinn 2 0 0 0 O X94 Quinn, Robert 1 0 0 1 IA X30 Reynolds, Chase 0 0 0 0 PS98 Robbins, Fred 2 2 0 0 LDT LDT76 Saffold, Rodger 2 2 0 0 LT LT87 Salas, Greg 2 0 0 0 X X97 Scott, Darell 2 0 0 0 X X92 Sims, Eugene 2 0 0 0 X X10 Sims-Walker, Mike 2 1 0 0 X WR77 Smith, Jason 2 2 0 0 RT RT81 Spach, Stephen 1 0 0 1 X IA20 Stewart, Darian 2 0 0 0 X X33 Williams, Cadillac 2 1 0 0 X RB
52 Williams, Jabara 0 0 0 2 IA IA
64 Wragge, Tony 1 0 0 1 IA X
201 1 ST. LOUIS RAMS PARTICIPATION CHART
2011
(Pos) - Starter; X - Reserve; DNP - Did Not Play; IA - Inactive; 3rd - Inactive as third QB; IR - Injured Reserve; PS - Practice Squad; O - Not on Roster; U - Unsigned; E - Roster
Opponent Qtr Time Rem. Plays Net Yards Poss. How Acquired Scoring Playvs. Philadelphia 1 11:14 1 47 0:08 Punt S. Jackson 47yd. touchdown runvs. Philadelphia 2 10.06 11 42 3:57 Punt Josh Brown 23 yd. Field Goalvs. Philadelphia 3 1:09 10 74 4:32 Kickoff Josh Brown 23 yd. Field Goal
@ N.Y. Giants 1 9:14 9 84 3:19 Interception Josh Brown 21 yd. Field Goal@ N.Y. Giants 1 3:21 10 67 2:26 Kickoff Josh Brown 25 yd. Field Goal@ N.Y. Giants 3 11:49 8 60 3:11 Kickoff Josh Brown 27 yd. Field Goal@ N.Y. Giants 3 1:18 13 72 5:01 Kickoff D. Alexander 19 yd. touchdown catch
C. Williams 19 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaC. Williams 13 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJ. Norwood 3 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsS. Jackson 2 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaB. Miller 1 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaS. Bradford 1 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
RUSHING YARDS
C. Williams 91 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaS. Jackson 56 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaC. Williams 36 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsB. Miller 12 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaJ. Norwood 10 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
YARDS PER CARRY (MIN. 10 ATT.)
C. Williams 4.8 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaC. Williams 2.8 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
LONGEST RUSH
S. Jackson 47 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaC. Williams 17 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaS. Bradford 17 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsC. Williams 16 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaB. Miller 12 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaJ. Norwood 7 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
PASS ATTEMPTS
S. Bradford 30 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaS. Bradford 46 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsA.J. Feeley 5 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
PASS COMPLETIONS
Sam Bradford 22 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsSam Bradford 17 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA.J. Feeley 1 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
PASSING YARDS
Sam Bradford 331 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
Sam Bradford 188 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA.J. Feeley 21 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
RECEPTIONS
M. Sims-Walker 6 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsC. Williams 5 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaD. Amendola 5 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaB. Gibson 4 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsG. Salas 4 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Alexander 3 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
RECEIVING YARDS
D. Alexander 122 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsM. Sims-Walker 92 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsB. Gibson 52 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsB. Gibson 50 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaC. Williams 49 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaD. Amendola 45 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaG. Salas 27 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsL. Kendricks 26 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
G. Salas 21 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaLONGEST RECEPTION
D. Alexander 68 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsM. Sims-Walker 33 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsB. Gibson 31 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaL. Kendricks 26 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsG. Salas 21 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaB. Bajema 21 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaD. Amendola 18 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaL. Kendricks 18 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaFIELD GOALS
Josh Brown 3 (27,25,21) Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJosh Brown 2 (49,23) Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
LONGEST FIELD GOAL
Josh Brown 49 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaJosh Brown 27 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJosh Brown 25 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJosh Brown 23 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaJosh Brown 21 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
MOST KICKOFF RETURNS
J. Norwood 4 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaQ. Porter 4 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN
Q. Porter 32 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJ. Norwood 29 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
MOST PUNT RETURN
G. Salas 2 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsDanny Amendola 1 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
LONGEST PUNT RETURN
G. Salas 29 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsDanny Amendola 0 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
B. Jacobs 16 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsL. McCoy 15 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA. Bradshaw 15 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsM. Vick 11 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaR. Brown 4 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaE. Manning 4 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Ware 3 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Lewis 2 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
L. McCoy 122 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaM. Vick 97 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA. Bradshaw 59 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsB. Jacobs 50 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Ware 22 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Lewis 10 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaR. Brown 7 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
M. Vick 8.8 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaL. McCoy 8.1 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA. Bradshaw 3.9 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsB. Jacobs 3.1 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
L. McCoy 49 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaM. Vick 19 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA. Bradshaw 15 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Ware 12 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsR. Brown 8 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaD. Lewis 6 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
M. Vick 32 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaE. Manning 29 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
M. Vick 14 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaE. Manning 18 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
E. Manning 200 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
M. Vick 187 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
D. Jackson 6 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA. Bradshaw 5 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJ. Avant 3 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaH. Nicks 3 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsM. Manningham 3 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsL. McCoy 2 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaD. Hixon 2 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
D. Jackson 102 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaM. Manningham 56 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsA. Bradshaw 45 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJ. Avant 40 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaD. Hixon 29 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJ. Maclin 20 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaB. Jacobs 17 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsV. Cruz 17 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
D. Jackson 41 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaM. Manningham 31 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Jackson 26 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaA. Bradshaw 23 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Hixon 22 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsJ. Avant 20 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaJ. Maclin 20 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaB, Jacobs 17 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
A. Henery 1 (34) Week 1 vs. Philadelphai- -- -- -- -- -
- -- - A. Henery 34 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
D. Lewis 2 Week 1 vs. PhiladelphiaD. Thomas 2 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
D. Thomas 27 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Lewis 18 Week 1 vs. Philadelphia
A. Ross 2 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
D. Hixon 1 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
A. Ross 7 Week 2 @ N.Y. GiantsD. Hixon 4 Week 2 @ N.Y. Giants
300-YARD PASSER, THREE 100-YARD RECEIVERS, SAME GAME
Rams: Kurt Warner 390 passing @ San Diego (10/1/00)Isaac Bruce 167 receivingMarshall Faulk 116 receivingAz-Zahir Hakim 104 receiving
Opponents: Donovan McNabb 361 passing @ Philladelphia (9/7/08)Desean Jackson 106 receivingGreg Lewis 104 receivingHank Baskett 102 receiving
300-YARD PASSER, 100-YARD RUSHER, TWO 100-YARD RECEIV-
ERS, SAME GAME
Rams: Marc Bulger 388 passing vs. Washington (12/24/06)Steven Jackson 150 rushingIsaac Bruce 148 receiving
Steven Jackson 102 receivingOpponents: David Garrard 335 passing @ Jacksonville (10/18/09)
M. Jones-Drew 133 rushingMike Sims-Walker 120 receivingTorry Holt 101 receIving
300-YARD PASSER, 100-YARD RUSHER, THREE 100-YARD RECEIV-
ERS, SAME GAME
Rams: Kurt Warner 390 passing @ San Diego (10/1/00)Justin Watson 102 rushingIsaac Bruce 167 receivingMarhsall Faulk 116 receivingAz-Zahir Hakim 104 receiving
Opponents: Never Happened
PUNT BLOCKED
Rams: D. Curry vs. Washinton (9/26/10) GanoOpponents: Vernon Fox vs. Washington (12/24/06) Turk
BLOCKED PUNT RETURNED FOR A TOUCHDOWN
Rams: Brandon Chillar vs. Jacksonville (10/30/05)29-yard return of Chris Hanson punt; Blocked by Drew Wahlroos
Opponents: Mike Cloud vs. Kansas City (10/22/00)6-yard return of John Baker punt; Blocked by Bracy Walker
FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT BLOCKED
Rams: James Hall vs. San Diego (10/17/10) (Kaeding)Opponents: P. Daniels vs Washington (9/26/10) (Brown)
BLOCKED FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT RETURNED FOR A TOUCHDOWN
Rams: LeRoy Irvin vs. San Francisco (9/14/86)65-yard retyrn of Ray Wersching 44-yard attempt; Blocked byJerry Gray; Mike Wilcher recovered and lateraled to Irvin
Opponents: Kevin Ross vs. Atlanta (10/12/95)
83-yard return of Steve McLaughlin 28-yard attempt;Blockedby Roger Harper
FOUR OR MORE FIELD GOALS
Rams: 4 Josh Brown @ Arizona (12/5/10)Opponents: 4 M. Bryant vs. Atlanta (11/21/10
PAT ATTEMPT BLOCKED
Rams: Jimmy Kennedy @ San Francisco (12/02/03) (Peterson)Opponents: Dana Stubblefield @ San Francisco (11/26/95)
PAT ATTEMPT FAILED
Rams: Josh Brown @ Denver (11/28/10)Opponents: Josh Scobee vs. Jacksonville (10/18/09)
TWO-POINT ATTEMPT MADE
Rams: Torry Holt pass from Gus Freotte @ Washington (10/7/07)Opponents: R. White pass from M. Ryan vs. Atlanta (11/21/10)
TWO-POINT ATTEMPT FAILED
Rams: Marc Bulger pass failed @ Arizona (12/30/07)Opponents: K. Orton pass failed @ Denver (11/28/10)
SHUTOUT
Rams: 20-0 @ Oakland (12/17/06)Opponents: 35-0 @ New Orleans (11/11/07
40-POINTS
Rams: 41 @ Minnesota (12/31/06)Opponents: 44 @ Detroit (10/210/10)
50 Points
Rams: 57 @ San Diego (10/1/00)Opponents: 54 @ Kansas City (10/22/00
OVERTIME WIN
Rams: 37-31 vs. Washington (12/24/06Opponents: 23-20 @ San Francisco(11/14/10
200 YARDS RUSHING OFFENSE
Rams: 202 @ Atlanta (12/28/08Opponents: 237 vs. Philadelphia (9/11/11)
300 YARDS IN RUSHING OFFENSE
Rams: 337 vs. Carolina (11/11/01)Opponents: 307 vs. New Orleans (11/18/81
400 YARDS IN TOTAL OFFENSE
Rams: 400 vs. Minnesota (10/11/09)Opponents: 404 vs. Philadelphia (9/11/11)
500 YARDS IN TOTAL OFFENSE
Rams: 524 vs. San Diego (10/10/02Opponents: 522 @ Philadelphia (9/7/08)
600 YARDS IN TOTAL OFFENSE
Rams: 614 vs. San Diego (10/1/00Opponents: Never Happened
YDS RECEIVER PASSER QTR DATE TM41 D. Jackson M. Vick 1 9/11 PHI31 M. Manningham E. Manning 2 9/19 NYG26 D. Jackson M. Vick 3 9/11 PHI23 A. Bradshaw E. Manning 3 9/19 NYG22 D. Hixon E. Manning 2 9/19 NYG20 J. Avant M. Vick 1 9/11 PHI
20 J. Maclin M. Vick 2 9/11 PHI
YDS RECEIVER PASSER QTR DATE OPP68 D. Alexander Bradford 1 9/19 NYG35 D. Alexander Bradford 3 9/19 NYG33 M. Sims-Walker Bradford 2 9/19 NYG31 B. Gibson Bradford 4 9/11 PHI26 L. Kendricks Bradford 1 9/19 NYG23 M. Sims-Walker Bradford 1 9/19 NYG21 G. Salas Feeley 4 9/11 PHI
RAMS RUN EXPLOSIVES (10+ YARDS) OPP. RUN EXPLOSIVES (10+ YARDS)
YDS RUSHER QTR DATE OPP47 S. Jackson 1 9/11 PHI17 S. Bradford 3 9/19 NYG16 C. Williams 1 9/11 PHI14 C. Williams 3 9/11 PHI12 C. Williams 3 9/11 PHI12 B. Miller 2 9/11 PHI11 C. Williams 1 9/11 PHI10 C. Williams 1 9/11 PHI
YDS RUSHER QTR DATE TM19 M. Vick 2 9/11 PHI19 M. Vick 2 9/11 PHI18 M. Vick 3 9/11 PHI18 L. McCoy 4 9/11 PHI17 L. McCoy 4 9/11 PHI14 M. Vick 4 9/11 PHI
12 D. Ware 4 9/19 NYG11 M. Vick 3 9/11 PHI11 L. McCoy 4 9/11 PHI10 A. Bradshaw 2 9/19 NYG
Year Player No.1950 Jack Zilly (DE) ..................................................... 7.01951 Larry Brink (DE) ................................................... 3.01952 Andy Robustelli (DE) ........................................... 7.51953 Andy Robustelli (DE) ........................................... 8.01954 Andy Robustelli (DE) ........................................... 4.01955 Andy Robustelli (DE) ........................................... 6.01956 Paul Miller (DE) ................................................... 6.01957 Dick Daugherty (LB) ............................................ 8.01958 Lou Michaels (DE) ............................................... 6.0
1959 George Struger (DT) ........................................... 5.01960 Gene Brito (DE) ................................................... 7.01961 Lamar Lundy (DE) ............................................. 11.01962 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 12.01963 Lamar Lundy (DE) ............................................... 9.01964 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 22.01965 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 19.01966 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 18.01967 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 21.01968 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 22.01969 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 15.01970 Deacon Jones (DE) ........................................... 12.01971 Coy Bacon (DE) ................................................ 11.01972 Coy Bacon (DE) ................................................ 11.51973 Jack Youngblood (DE) ...................................... 16.5
1974 Jack Youngblood (DE) ...................................... 15.01975 Jack Youngblood (DE) ...................................... 15.01976 Jack Youngblood (DE) .............................................14.5
Larry Brooks (DT) .............................................. 14.51977 Jack Youngblood (DE) ........................................ 8.51978 Larry Brooks (DE)................................................ 8.01979 Jack Youngblood (DE) ...................................... 18.01980 Jack Youngblood (DE) ...................................... 11.5
Year Player No.1981 Jack Youngblood (DE) 12.51982 Mike Fanning (DT)............................................... 5.01983 Jack Youngblood (DE) ...................................... 10.51984 Jack Youngblood (DE) ........................................ 9.51985 Mike Wilcher (LB) .............................................. 12.51986 Gary Jeter (DE) ................................................... 8.01987 Gary Jeter (DE) ................................................... 7.01988 Kevin Greene (LB)............................................. 16.51989 Kevin Greene (LB)............................................. 16.5
1990 Kevin Greene (LB)............................................. 13.01991 Kevin Greene (LB)....................................................3.0
Gerald Robinson (DE) ......................................... 3.01992 Kevin Greene (LB)............................................. 10.01993 Sean Gilbert (DT) .............................................. 10.51994 Robert Young (DE) .............................................. 6.51995 D’Marco Farr (DT) ............................................. 11.01996 Kevin Carter (DE) ................................................ 9.51997 Leslie O’Neal (DE)............................................. 10.01998 Kevin Carter (DE) .............................................. 12.01999 Kevin Carter (DE) .............................................. 17.02000 Grant Wistrom (DE) ........................................... 11.02001 Leonard Little (DE) ............................................ 14.52002 Leonard Little (DE) ............................................ 12.0
2003 Leonard Little (DE) ............................................ 12.52004 Bryce Fisher (DE) ................................................ 8.52005 Leonard Little (DE) .............................................. 9.52006 Leonard Little (DE) ............................................ 13.02007 Will Witherspoon (LB).......................................... 7.02008 James Hall (DE) ................................................. 6.52009 Leonard Little (DE) .............................................. 6.52010 James Hall (DE) ............................................... 10.5
RUSHING247 Willie Ellison vs. New Orleans .......................... Dec. 5, 1971 (26 carries, 1 TD)
223 Tom Wilson vs. Green Bay ............. .............. .... Dec. 16, 1956 (23 carries, 0 TD)221 Greg Bell vs. Green Bay ................................... Sept. 24, 1989 (28 carries, 2 TD)220 Marshall Faulk @ New Orleans ........................ Dec. 24, 2000 (32 carries, 2 TD)215 Eric Dickerson vs. Houston ............................... Dec. 9, 1984 (27 carries, 2 TD)
213 Charles White @ St. Louis ................................ Nov. 15, 1987 (34 carries, 1 TD) 212 Jerome Bettis @ New Orleans ............ ............. Dec. 12, 1993 (28 carries, 1 TD) 210 Greg Bell @ New England ................................ Dec. 24, 1989 (26 carries, 1 TD)
208 Eric Dickerson @ St. Louis ............................... Nov. 4, 1984 (21 carries 0 TD)208 Marshall Faulk vs. Atlanta ................................. Oct. 15, 2000 (25 carries, 1 TD)207 Eric Dickerson vs. Tampa Bay .......................... Oct. 5, 1986 (30 carries, 2 TD)205 Dan Towler @ Baltimore ................................... Nov. 22, 1953 (14 carries, 1 TD)202 Marshall Faulk @ Carolina ................................ Dec. 23, 2001 (30 carries, 2 TD)199 Ollie Matson @ Chicago Bears ......................... Oct. 11, 1959 (31 carries, 3 TD)
199 Eric Dickerson vs. Detroit .............. .............. ...... Oct. 2, 1983 (30 carries, 2 TD) 195 Trung Canidate @ New York Jets .................... Oct. 21, 2001 (23 carries, 2 TD)
193 Eric Dickerson @ St. Louis ............................... Sept. 7, 1986 (38 carries, 2 TD) 192 Eric Dickerson @ New York Jets .............. ........ Sept. 25, 1983 (28 carries, 2 TD) 191 Eric Dickerson @ Tampa Bay ........................... Nov. 25, 1984 (28 carries, 3 TD)
179 Steven Jackson vs. Jacksonville ............ ...... Oct. 30, 2005 (25 carries, 0 TD) 178 Marshall Faulk @ Arizona ................................. Nov. 3, 2002 (27 carries, 1 TD)
170 Eric Dickerson vs. Atlanta ................................. Oct. 26, 1986 (30 carries, 0 TD)169 Dick Bass @ Chicago ....................................... Dec. 9, 1962 (20 carries, 1 TD)168 Marshall Faulk vs. Atlanta ................................. Jan. 6, 2002 (20 carries, 1 TD)166 Ron Waller vs. Philadelphia .............................. Sept. 30, 1956 (20 carries, 1 TD)166 Charles White vs. Pittsburgh ............................. Oct. 11, 1987 (33 carries, 1 TD)164 Eric Dickerson @ New Orleans ........................ Oct. 14, 1984 (20 carries, 0 TD)
161 Steven Jackson @ Atlanta .............. ............. .. Dec. 28, 2008 (30 carries, 2 TD)160 Steven Jackson vs. Dallas .............. ............. .. Oct. 10, 2008 (25 carries, 3 TD)159 Charles White vs. Atlanta .................................. Dec. 13, 1987 (29 carries, 2 TD)158 Greg Hill, @ Buffalo .......................................... Sept. 20, 1998 (19 carries, 2 TD)158 Marshall Faulk vs. Oakland ............................... Oct. 13, 2002 (26 carries, 0 TD)
155 Charles White @ Atlanta ................................... Oct. 18, 1987 (31 carries, 0 TD)155 Dan Towler vs. New York Yanks ...................... Nov. 18, 1951 (13 carries, 1 TD)154 Marshall Faulk @ New Orleans ........................ Dec. 12, 1999 (29 carries, 1 TD)154 Dan Towler vs. Chicago Bears ......................... Oct. 25, 1953 (24 carries, 1 TD)152 Lawrence McCutcheon @ New Orleans ...........Nov. 25, 1973 (20 carries, 0 TD)152 Lawrence McCutcheon @ Chicago .................. Dec. 2, 1973 (24 carries, 0 TD)152 Lawrence McCutcheon vs. Atlanta ................... Dec. 11, 1977 (17 carries, 0 TD)150 Eric Dickerson @ Seattle .................................. Sept. 23, 1985 (31 carries, 3 TD)150 Eric Dickerson vs. Green Bay ........................... Nov. 24, 1985 (31 carries, 1 TD)
150 Steven Jackson vs. Washington ............. ...... Dec. 24, 2006 (33 carries, 1 TD)
CAREER 100-YARD RUSHING GAMES
Games Player W-L-T38 Eric Dickerson ..........................................27-1127 Marshall Faulk............................................27-027 Steven Jackson................. .............. ........14-13 22 Lawrence McCutcheon ...........................19-2-1
11 Jerome Bettis ............................................... 3-810 Dick Bass ..................................................... 6-410 Dan Towler .................................................10-0
8 Wendell Tyler ............................................... 6-28 Charles White...............................................7-17 Greg Bell ...................................................... 6-17 Paul (Tank) Younger.................................3-3-16 Cleveland Gary.............................................4-25 Jon Arnett.....................................................2-35 Willie Ellison ..............................................2-2-15 Ron Waller....................................................4-15 Tim Wilson....................................................2-34 Skeet Quinlan ............................................... 1-33 Cullen Bryant ................................................ 3-0
Games Player W-L-T3 John Cappelletti 2-0-13 Ollie Matson .................................................2-13 Lawrence Phillips .........................................3-02 Trung Canidate ............................................ 2-02 Dick Hoerner .............................................1-0-12 Les Josephson ............................................. 2-02 Joe Marconi ..................................................2-02 Elvis Peacock ............................................... 2-02 Bob Thomas .................................................2-01 Jim Bertelsen ............................................... 1-01 Robert Delpino ............................................. 1-01 Harold Green ................................................1-01 Greg Hill........................................................1-01 Brian Leonard ............................................... 0-11 Jerald Moore ................................................1-01 Kenny Washington .......................................1-01 Justin Watson ............................................... 1-0
GAMES WITH MORE THAN ONE 100-YARD RUSHERNov. 8, 1953 vs. San Francisco, Skeet Quinlan (11-119) and Paul Younger (12-101)Oct. 24, 1954 vs. Chicago Bears, Dan Towler (15-123) and Paul Younger (27-106)Oct. 31, 1954 vs. Detroit, Paul Younger (18-140) and Skeet Quinlan (13-119)Dec. 4, 1955 vs. Baltimore, Ron Waller (24-138) and Paul Younger (25-132)Sept. 16, 1973 @ Kansas City, Jim Bertelsen (28-143) and Lawrence McCutcheon (21-120)Sept. 12, 1976 @ Atlanta, Lawrence McCutcheon (26-115) and John Cappelletti (22-102)Sept. 19, 1976 @ Minnesota, John Cappelletti (28-128) and Lawrence McCutcheon (29-110)Nov. 11, 1996 vs. Atlanta, Lawrence Phillips (14-106) and Harold Green (13-106)Nov. 11, 2001 vs. Carolina, Marshall Faulk (15-183) and Trung Canidate (16-145)
PASSING554 Norm Van Brocklin vs. New York Yanks........... Sept. 28, 1951 (30 / 46, 0 TD, 0 Int)509 Vince Ferragamo vs. Chicago ........................... Dec. 26, 1982 (30 / 46, 3 TD, 2 Int)454 Jim Everett @ New Orleans ............................. Nov. 26, 1989 (29 / 51, 1 TD, 2 Int)
453 Marc Bulger vs. San Diego ............................... Nov. 10, 2002 (36 / 48, 4 TD, 0 Int)450 Marc Bulger vs. New York Jets ......................... Jan. 2, 2005 (29 / 39, 3 TD, 2 Int)448 Marc Bulger @ Green Bay ................................ Nov. 29, 2004 (35 / 53, 2 TD, 1 Int)442 Marc Bulger @ New York Giants ...................... Oct. 2, 2005 (40 / 62, 2 TD, 3 Int)441 Kurt Warner vs. Denver .................................... Sept. 4, 2000 (25 / 35, 3 TD, 3 Int)436 James Harris @ Miami ...................................... Oct. 3, 1976 (17 / 29, 2 TD, 1 Int)431 Trent Green vs. Carolina ................................... Nov. 5, 2000 (29 / 42, 2 TD, 0 Int)406 Jim Hardy vs. Chicago Cardinals ...................... Oct. 31, 1948 (28 / 53, 3 TD, 2 Int)401 Tony Banks @ Atlanta ...................................... Nov. 2, 1997 (30 / 42, 2 TD, 1 Int)401 Kurt Warner @ New England ........................... Nov. 18, 2001 (23 / 34, 3 TD, 2 Int)394 Kurt Warner vs. San Francisco ......................... Sept. 17, 2000 (23 / 34, 2 TD, 2 Int)
390 Kurt Warner vs. San Diego ............................... Oct. 1, 2000 (24 / 30, 4 TD, 0 Int)388 Marc Bulger vs. Washington ............................. Dec. 24, 2006 (25 / 38, 4 TD, 0 Int)385 Kurt Warner vs. New Orleans ........................... Oct. 28, 2001 (29 / 47, 1 TD, 4 Int)378 Marc Bulger @ San Francisco .......................... Nov. 2, 2003 (26 / 42, 1 TD, 2 Int)377 Jim Everett @ Philadelphia ............................... Nov. 6, 1988 (24 / 45, 2 TD, 4 Int)
375 Marc Bulger @ Pittsburgh ................................. Oct. 26, 2003 (22 / 37, 1 TD, 0 Int) 372 Billy Wade @ Green Bay .................................. Nov. 16, 1958 (19 / 42, 1 TD, 2 Int)372 Jim Everett vs. Cincinnati .................................. Oct. 7, 1990 (25 / 46, 2 TD, 0 Int)372 Mark Rypien vs. Buffalo .................................... Dec. 10, 1995 (31 / 55, 1 TD, 2 Int)368 Jim Everett vs. Indianapolis .............................. Sept. 17, 1989 (28 / 35, 3 TD, 1 Int)368 Marc Bulger vs. San Francisco ......................... Sept. 19, 2007 (24 / 41, 1 TD, 0 Int)366 Trent Green vs. Washington ............................. Nov. 20, 2000 (23 / 38, 2 TD, 1 Int)365 Jim Everett @ Denver ....................................... Nov. 27, 1988 (25 / 47, 2 TD, 1 Int)365 Jim Everett vs. New Orleans............................. Dec. 9, 1990 (31 / 50, 1 TD, 2 Int)362 Marc Bulger @ San Francisco .......................... Sept. 11, 2005 (34 / 56, 2 TD, 1 Int)360 Marc Bulger vs. Seattle ..................................... Oct. 15, 2006 (26 / 39, 3 TD, 1 Int)
359 Kurt Warner vs. Indianapolis ............................. Dec. 30, 2001 (23 / 30, 3 TD, 1 Int)358 Marc Bulger vs. New Orleans ........................... Sept. 26, 2004 (32 / 49, 1 TD, 0 Int)356 Billy Wade @ Baltimore .................................... Nov. 23, 1958 (24 / 41, 0 TD, 2 Int)356 Marc Bulger vs. Chicago ................................... Dec. 11, 2006 (34 / 55, 3 TD, 0 Int)354 Jamie Martin vs. San Francisco ........................ Dec. 24, 2005 (33 / 41, 1 TD, 2 Int)354 Marc Bulger vs. Kansas City ............................. Nov. 5, 2006 (31 / 42, 1 TD, 0 Int)353 Tony Banks @ Baltimore .............. .............. ...... Oct. 27, 1996 (26 / 40, 1 TD, 1 Int)352 Marc Bulger vs. Atlanta ..................................... Oct. 13, 2003 (23 / 34, 2 TD, 2 Int) 351 Kurt Warner @ Carolina .................................... Dec. 5, 1999 (22 / 31, 3 TD, 2 Int)
CAREER 300-YARD PASSING GAMES Games Player W-L-T
30 Kurt Warner ................................................ 22-827 Marc Bulger..............................................12-1520 Jim Everett ............................................... 10-10
5 Norm Van Brocklin .......................................4-13 Tony Banks ..................................................1-23 Vince Ferragamo ..........................................1-23 Roman Gabriel ............................................. 2-13 Trent Green ..................................................2-13 Chris Miller ...................................................1-23 Mark Rypien ................................................. 0-33 Bill Wade 1-2
Games Player W-L-T2 Dieter Brock 0-22 Bob Waterfield..............................................2-02 Sam Bradford ............. .............. ............. ..... 1-1
1 Zeke Bratkowski ........................................... 1-01 Ryan Fitzpatrick ........................................... 1-01 Gus Frerotte ................................................. 1-01 Pat Haden ....................................................0-11 Jim Hardy ..................................................... 0-11 James Harris ................................................1-01 Jamie Martin .................................................1-0
RECEIVING336 Willie Anderson @ New Orleans ..................... Nov. 26, 1989 (15 receptions, 1 TD)303 Jim Benton @ Detroit ........................................ Nov. 22, 1945 (10 receptions, 1 TD)238 Harold Jackson vs. Dallas ................................ Oct. 14, 1973 (7 receptions, 4 TD)233 Isaac Bruce @ Atlanta ...................................... Nov. 2, 1997 (10 receptions, 3 TD)230 Henry Ellard vs. Indianapolis ............................ Sept. 17, 1989 (12 receptions, 1 TD)229 Isaac Bruce @ Baltimore .................................. Oct. 27, 1996 (11 receptions, 1 TD)226 Eddie Kennison @ Atlanta ............ .............. ...... Dec. 15, 1996 (5 receptions, 3 TD)220 Ron Jessie @ Miami ......................................... Oct. 3, 1976 (7 receptions, 2 TD)210 Isaac Bruce vs. Miami ....................................... Dec. 24, 1995 (15 receptions, 1 TD)208 Jim Phillips @ Green Bay ............ .............. ...... Nov. 16, 1958 (8 receptions, 1 TD)
207 Carroll Dale @ Detroit ....................................... Nov. 17, 1963 (7 receptions, 3 TD)204 Marshall Faulk (RB) vs. Chicago ...................... Dec. 26, 1999 (12 receptions, 1 TD)203 Torry Holt vs. Indianapolis ................................ Dec. 30, 2001 (7 receptions, 2 TD)202 Jim Benton @ New York Yanks ........................ Dec. 5, 1946 (12 receptions, 2 TD)200 Tommy McDonald vs. Cleveland ..................... Dec. 12, 1965 (6 receptions, 2 TD)200 Torry Holt @ San Francisco ............................. Nov. 2, 2003 (11 receptions, 1 TD)196 Elroy Hirsch vs. Green Bay ............................... Dec. 12, 1953 (9 receptions, 0 TD)195 Elroy Hirsch vs. Chicago Cardinals ................. Nov. 11, 1951 (6 receptions, 2 TD)192 Isaac Bruce, vs. Minnesota ............................... Sept. 13, 1998 (11 receptions, 1 TD)191 Isaac Bruce, vs. Atlanta .................................... Oct. 12, 1995 (10 receptions, 2 TD)189 Tom Fears vs. Green Bay ................................. Dec. 3, 1950 (3 receptions, 2 TD)189 Torry Holt @ Atlanta ......................................... Sept. 24, 2000 (3 receptions, 2 TD)188 Isaac Bruce vs. San Francisco ......................... Sept. 17, 2000 (8 receptions, 1 TD)183 George Farmer vs. Chicago .............................. Dec. 26, 1982 (9 receptions, 1 TD)181 Isaac Bruce @ Indianapolis ............................. Oct. 1, 1995 (8 receptions, 2 TD)
179 Isaac Bruce vs. New Orleans .......................... Oct. 28, 2001 (7 receptions, 1 TD)175 Del Shofner vs. Baltimore ................................. Dec. 6, 1958 (5 receptions, 1 TD)174 Torry Holt @ Pittsburgh .................................... Oct. 26, 2003 (7 receptions, 1 TD)173 Elroy Hirsch @ New York Yanks ..................... Sept. 28, 1951 (9 receptions, 4 TD)173 Isaac Bruce vs. San Francisco ......................... Oct. 22, 1995 (9 receptions, 0 TD)172 Torry Holt vs. Minnesota ................................... Dec. 10, 2000 (9 receptions, 0 TD)171 Henry Ellard @ Detroit ..................................... Dec. 6, 1987 (7 receptions, 1 TD)170 Isaac Bruce @ Green Bay ................................ Nov, 29, 2004 (9 receptions, 1 TD)169 Del Shofner @ Detroit ....................................... Nov. 15, 1959 (5 receptions, 1 TD)168 Elroy Hirsch @ Green Bay ............................... Oct. 11 1953 (8 receptions, 0 TD)167 Henry Ellard @ Denver ..................................... Nov. 27, 1988 (11 receptions, 2 TD)167 Isaac Bruce vs. San Diego................................ Oct. 1, 2000 (9 receptions, 2 TD)166 Henry Ellard @ Philadelphia ............................. Nov. 6, 1988 (7 receptions, 1 TD)165 Henry Ellard vs. Atlanta .................................... Oct. 8, 1989 (8 receptions, 0 TD)165 Torry Holt @ Tampa Bay ................................. Dec. 18, 2000 (9 receptions, 1 TD)163 Elroy Hirsch @ San Francisco ......................... Oct. 28, 1951 (4 receptions, 1 TD)
163 Jim Phillips vs. Chicago .................................... Sept. 23, 1961 (9 receptions, 0 TD)163 Henry Ellard vs. Phoenix .................................. Nov. 19, 1989 (7 receptions, 2 TD)163 Isaac Bruce vs. San Diego................................ Nov. 10, 2002 (10 receptions, 3 TD)163 Torry Holt, vs. Tennessee ................................. Sept. 25, 2005 (9 receptions, 1 TD)163 Torry Holt, vs. San Francisco............................ Dec. 24, 2005 ( 10 receptions, 1 TD)
163 Donnie Avery @ New England ............ ........... Oct. 26, 2008 (6 receptions, 1 TD) 162 Tom Fears @ New York Yanks ....................... Sept. 28, 1951 (7 receptions, 0 TD)161 Torry Holt vs. Atlanta ........................................ Oct. 13, 2003 (11 receptions, 2 TD)160 Henry Ellard vs. Kansas City ........................... Nov. 10, 1991 (8 receptions, 1 TD)160 Torry Holt vs. San Francisco............................. Dec. 5, 2004 (10 receptions, 1 TD)159 Tom Fears vs. Washington ............................... Dec. 11, 1949 (10 receptions, 2 TD)157 Elroy Hirsch @ New York Yanks ...................... Nov. 19, 1954 (5 receptions, 0 TD)157 Bob Boyd vs. San Francisco ............................. Oct. 3, 1954 (5 receptions, 1 TD)155 Tommy McDonald @ Chicago ......................... Oct. 10, 1965 (9 receptions, 0 TD)
154 Jim Phillips @ New York Giants ...................... Oct 22, 1961 (8 receptions, 1 TD)154 Willie Anderson @ Atlanta ................................ Sept. 11, 1994 (5 receptions, 1 TD)154 Torry Holt vs. Seattle ........................................ Oct. 15, 2006 (8 receptions, 3 TD)152 Isaac Bruce @ Cincinnati .................................. Oct. 3, 1999 (6 receptions, 0 TD)152 Drew Hill @ Pittsburgh ...................................... Sept. 16, 1984 (4 receptions, 1 TD)151 Jim Benton, @ Chicago .................................... Oct. 21, 1945 (7 receptions, 1 TD)151 Jim Phillips, @ Dallas ...................................... Nov. 6, 1960 (7 receptions, 2 TD)151 Jack Snow, @ Baltimore ................................... Oct. 15, 1967 (3 receptions, 2 TD)151 Ron Jessie, @ Atlanta ...................................... Nov. 16, 1975 (10 receptions, 1 TD)151 Torry Holt @ Carolina ....................................... Dec. 12, 2004 (6 receptions, 1 TD)150 Elroy Hirsch, @ San Francisco ......................... Oct. 7, 1956 (8 receptions, 2 TD)150 Jack Snow, vs. Detroit ...................................... Dec. 14, 1970 (7 receptions, 0 TD)
GAMES WITH MORE THAN ONE 100-YARD RECEIVERDec. 11, 1949 vs. Washington, Tom Fears (10-159) and Bob Shaw (5 -137)Sept. 22, 1950 vs. New York Yanks, Glen Davis (5-103) and Dick Hoerner (4-105)Nov. 19, 1950 @ New York Yanks, Dick Hoerner (14-125) and Elroy Hirsch (8-157)Sept. 28, 1951 @ New York Yanks, Tom Fears (7-162), Elroy Hirsch (9-173), and Verda (V.T.) Smith (2-103)Dec. 14, 1952 vs. Pittsburgh, Tom Fears (10-122) and Elroy Hirsch (4-108)Oct. 4, 1953 @ San Francisco, Bob Boyd (4-107) and Elroy Hirsch (9-107)Sept. 26, 1954 @ Baltimore, Skeet Quinlan (4-135) and Bob Boyd (4-121)Oct. 10, 1954 @ Detroit, Bob Boyd (8-128) and Elroy Hirsch (6-105)Nov. 21, 1954 @ New York Giants, Bob Boyd (5-103) and Tom Fears (9-136)Dec. 12, 1954 vs. Green Bay, Bob Boyd (4-106) and Elroy Hirsch (5-119)
Oct. 7, 1956 @ San Francisco, Elroy Hirsch (8-150) and Bob Boyd (7-119)Nov. 23, 1958 @ Baltimore, Lamar Lundy (6-103) and Del Shofner (8-110)Oct. 11, 1964 @ Chicago, Jim Phillips (7-110) and Bucky Pope (4-108)Nov.1, 1964 @ Detroit, Carroll Dale (7-109) and Marlin McKeever (6-100)Dec. 4, 1976 vs. Atlanta, Ron Jessie (4-112) and Dwight Scales (2-102)Dec. 26, 1982 vs. Chicago, George Farmer (9-183) and Preston Dennard (5-122)Sept. 9, 1990 @ Green Bay, Henry Ellard (6-106) and Willie Anderson (5-128)Oct. 7, 1990 vs. Cincinnati, Henry Ellard (7-100) and Willie Anderson (7-144)Dec. 9, 1990 vs. New Orleans, Henry Ellard (5-107) and Willie Anderson (5-123)Sept. 1, 1991 vs. Phoenix, Robert Delpino (10-113) and Henry Ellard (7-116)Dec. 5, 1999 @ Carolina, Isaac Bruce (6-111) and Az-Zahir Hakim (4-122)Dec. 12, 1999 @ New Orleans, Isaac Bruce (4-102) and Torry Holt (6-113)Sept. 4, 2000 vs. Denver, Az-Zahir Hakim (5-118), Torry Holt (6-103), and Marshall Faulk (4-100)Oct. 1, 2000 vs. San Diego, Isaac Bruce (9-167), Marshall Faulk (6-116), and Az-Zahir Hakim (5-104)Nov. 5, 2000 vs. Carolina, Az-Zahir Hakim (8-147) and Torry Holt (4-130)
Nov. 10, 2002 vs. San Diego, Isaac Bruce (10-163) and Torry Holt (7-118)Sept. 7, 2003 @ New York Giants, Isaac Bruce (8-120), and Torry Holt (7-111)Sept. 19, 2004 @ Atlanta, Torry Holt (9-121) and Isaac Bruce (5-102)Oct. 1, 2006 vs. Detroit, Isaac Bruce (7-100) and Torry Holt (6-102)Dec. 24, 2006 vs. Washington, Isaac Bruce (9-148) and Steven Jackson (6-102)
CAREER 100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES Games Player W-L-T
46 Torry Holt .................................................27-1943 Isaac Bruce .............................................. 22-2126 Henry Ellard ............................................. 12-1421 Elroy Hirsch................................................12-916 Tom Fears.................................................8-7-115 Bob Boyd ...................................................9-5-114 Jim Phillips.................................................4-9-110 Jack Snow .................................................5-4-1
9 Willie Anderson.............................................4-58 Carroll Dale ..............................................2-5-18 Harold Jackson.............................................5-38 Del Shofner ..................................................2-66 Tommy McDonald ........................................4-25 Bernie Casey .............................................3-0-25 Ron Jessie ...................................................5-04 Jim Benton ...................................................3-14 Marshall Faulk (RB) .....................................4-04 Az-Zahir Hakim ............................................ 3-14 Martin McKeever (TE) .................................. 1-33 Preston Dennard ..........................................1-23 Drew Hill ....................................................... 1-23 Amp Lee (RB) .............................................. 1-23 Bucky Pope ..................................................1-2
2 Bob Carey ....................................................1-12 Robert Delpino (RB) ..................................... 0-22 George Farmer ............................................. 0-2
2 Steven Jackson (RB) ............. ............. ....... 1-1
Games Player W-L-T2 Eddie Kennison 1-12 Willie Miller ...................................................1-12 Ricky Proehl ................................................2-02 Verda (V. T.) Smith (RB) ..............................1-12 Billy Truax (TE) ............................................ 2-02 Wendell Tucker ............................................ 2-01 Jon Arnett (RB) ............................................ 0-1
1 Donnie Avery (WR)..................................... 0-11 Johnny Bailey (RB) ......................................0-11 Mike Barber (TE) ..........................................0-11 Jim Bertlesen (RB) .......................................0-11 Ron Brown ...................................................1-01 Leon Clarke ..................................................1-0
1 Mark Clayton (WR) ............ .............. ........... 0-11 Aaron Cox ....................................................1-01 Kevin Curtis ..................................................1-01 Glen Davis ....................................................1-01 Troy Drayton (TE) ........................................1-01 Pete Holohan (TE) .......................................1-01 Tom Keane ...................................................1-01 Lamar Lundy (TE) ........................................0-11 Ollie Matson (RB) .........................................0-11 Shaun McDonald ..........................................0-1
1 Dwight Scales .............................................. 1-01 Bob Shaw ..................................................... 1-01 Clendon Thomas (RB) ................................. 0-11 Billy Waddy ..................................................1-01 Danario Alexander .......................................0-1
“Rams have pieces in place to build consistent winner”/By Pete Prisco…..………………………...………………………………………CBSSports.com /August 18, 2011
“Why Rams D will dominate in 2011” / By Kerry J. Byrne….……………………………………...………………………………………SI.com / June 16, 2011
“Rams defense looking to make people take notice”/By Jim Thomas………………………………………………………………………STLToday.com / September 10, 2011
“McDaniels' philosophy: 'I just want to win'”/By Jim Thomas……………………………………………………………………………...STLToday.com / September 10, 2011
“Cohesion is key for Rams’ linemen” / By Jim Thomas …..………………………………………………………………………………..STLtoday.com / April 15, 2011
“Bradford steps into Year 2 ready to go to next level”/By Bryan Burwell………………………………………………………………….STLToday.com / September 10, 2011
“Competitive fires stoke Bradford and rebuilt Rams” / By Pete Prisco…...…………………..……………………………………………2CBSSports.com / August 8, 2010
“Rams Spagnuolo Will Keep The Faith”/ By Bernie Miklasz…………………………................................................................................2STLtoday.com / September 18, 2011
“Burwell: Quinn offered hope in player's time of need” / By Bryan Burwell …………................................................................................2STLtoday.com / May 1, 2011
“Chris Long leads under-the-radar Rams defense” / By Jim Corbett……......................................................................................................2USAToday.com / September 2, 2011
“Gibson is an early standout among Rams receivers”/ By Bill Coats ............................................................................................................2
STLtoday.com / August 3, 2011
“Former Packer Harris has something to prove” / By Jim Thomas ……………………………………………………………...................3STLtoday.com / August 4, 2011
“Kendricks making quick impact for Rams” / By R.B. Fallstrom…… .........................................................................................................3 BND.com / August 3, 2011
“Rams are set at tackle spots” / By Bill Coats.................................................................................................................................................STLToday.com / January 12, 2011
“Rams wasted little time in getting Justin Bannan”/By Jim Thomas………………………………………………………………………..STLToday.com / August 11, 2011
“Mikell a big hit with Rams”/By Jim Thomas………………………………………………………………………………………………3STLToday.com / August 24, 2011
“Sims-Walker feels blessed to be with Rams”/By Jim Thomas………………………………………………………………………….…4STLToday.com / August 31, 2011
“Williams is solid in Jackson's absence”/By Bill Coats………………………………………………………………………………….…4STLToday.com / September 12, 2011
Publication:CBSSports.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 5 Date: 8/18/1
Rams have pieces in place to build consistent winner
By Pete Prisco
Sitting at his desk eating a chicken sandwich in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, a NASCAR race on the TV in the background, St. LouisRams general manager Billy Devaney looks more prepared to use that surfboard leaning against the wall in his office than he is to diveinto running a football team.
But despite the laid-back, California way about him, Devaney is serious when it comes to football and especially building the Rams intocontender -- not only in their division, but in the league.
"We're getting better," Devaney said. "We know we've made progress. But there's a lot to do."
In 2009, the Rams were 1-15, the joke of the league, and Devaney was in his first year in charge of turning the Rams around.
"I wouldn't wish that on anybody," Devaney said.
Here were are two years later and the Rams are considered one of the rising teams in the NFL. Under Devaney's watch, and with coachSteve Spagnoulo ably assisting, the Rams are being built for the long run.
We have had countless teams that have popped up over the years to have good seasons, but then fade away. They don't have stayingpower. If you notice, the really good teams have staying power. They are not the aberration-season teams.
The Colts, Patriots, Steelers have all had staying power. The Rams are working to get that.
If you study the structure of those good organizations, there are five reasons they have had that sustainable success. They are:
• Good general manager
• Sharp coach
• Franchise quarterback
• Good veterans for guidance
• A key group of young, core players
The Rams look to have the same makeup. It's far too early to think that the Rams are back to the glory days of The Greatest Show onTurf, but after going 7-9 last season and pushing for a division title, the needle is pointing up.
"Teams still look at us as the 1-15 Rams of two years ago," veteran running back Steven Jackson.
That would be a mistake. They might not be ready for a Super push this year, but starting in 2012 and beyond they will be in the mix forthe Lombardi Trophy.
They have Devaney and Spagnuolo, two sharp men, even if they are opposites in terms of demeanor, running things. They have thefranchise passer in Sam Bradford, the veteran leader in Jackson and a nice group of young core players.
Here's a look at each of the Rams five important components in building a sustainable championship contender.
• • •
The laid-back general manager
Can you believe that a guy from New Jersey is actually laid-back?
Devaney was born and raised in the Garden State -- his family is still die-hard Giants fans -- but on his way to running his own team,including stops with five NFL teams, and various jobs that included being a baggage handler, Devaney has morphed into this beach-bumpersona.
ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLI PS
Publication:CBSSports.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 5 Date: 8/18/1
That comes from his days working with Bobby Beathard, the surfer-GM, when they were in San Diego.
"I'm more of a don't-worry-about-it guy," Devaney said. "I took a lot of that from Bobby."
Beathard was considered a sharp draft man when he was in the league. And so far in his three years running the Rams draft, Devaney hadone a heck of a job. He landed Bradford with the first pick in 2010, and he landed five starters in the first three rounds of his first twodrafts in 2009 and 2010. One of those, right tackle Jason Smith, was the second player taken in the 2009 draft and hasn't quite lived up toexpectations yet, but he is starting.
Building through the draft is the Devaney way.
"We knew we had two years to start showing things were turning around or we weren't going to be around," Devaney said. "We had toshow improvement in Year Two. What that was going to be, we didn't know. Was it four wins at the end of the year? Whatever it was, ithad to be better. We were hoping for the turnaround in Year Three, but now we're just trying to build on what we did."
Devaney's first duty was hiring a coach. So he reached out to another East Coast guy in Spagnuolo, who is the exact opposite of Devane
"He's a live-wire," Devaney said. "But our personalities mesh well."
Devaney makes the football decisions, but he consults with Spagnuolo on most of them.
"Hopefully, it works for a long time," Devaney said.
"He's firm in what he wants and what we want," Spagnuolo said. "It's been a nice transition. Hopefully in Year Three we'll show that onthe field from a personnel and coaching standpoint."
• • •
The mile-a-minute head coach
Spagnuolo is like one of those wind-up toys. You pull the string, stand back, and let it go.
If ever there were a coaching candidate for a study on Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, Spagnuolo would be it. He's even joked about it
That's because his mind always seems to be racing. When I interviewed him in his office, he was distracted by an injury suffered bynickel corner Jerome Murphy earlier in practice.
"Sorry," he said. "I just keep thinking about the kid."
The kid suffered a broken ankle. You could see the hurt on Spagnuolo's face as he talked about it. He cares.
A Spagnuolo conversation has more detours than I-10 during construction. One minute it's football. The next it's about his wedding at th
Vatican. Then baseball. Then back to football.
All the while, he is friendly and welcoming.
That's why his players like him. He can be tough and demanding, but they also know he cares.
"He's a tough, old-fashioned coach, but at the same time he has a feel with the players," Devaney said. "He has a great reputation. It'sreally neat in free agency when you hear from guys on other teams that they really want to play for Spags."
Said Jackson: "Guys respect him. He understands what it takes to be an NFL player."
Spagnuolo came to the Rams after serving as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. He also served on the staff of Andy Reiin Philadelphia. So his style meshes that of both Tom Coughlin and Reid.
He is actively involved with the defense, but leaves the offense to new coordinator Josh McDaniels.
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"I still think you win with good quarterback play and good defense," Spagnuolo said.
Spagnuolo still has the Boston accent from his youth, so when he yells at players there's no denying where he was born.
In two years, the Rams have improved by six victories. That has them wanting more. Spagnuolo had a sign put on the wall in the lockerroom to remind his players what it takes go get it.
It reads: Make Excellence a habit.
"I don't think we'll make the next jump if we don't have enough guys who strive for competitive greatness in all they do," Spagnuolo sai"It's something we talk about. It's just talk. Now guys have to go out and do it."
• • •
The confident and competitive franchise QB
When Spagnuolo was looking to hire a new offensive coordinator after the departure of Pat Shurmur to the Cleveland Browns, he had aconversation with Bradford.
"If I were to hire a coordinator with a different offensive system, what would you think about it?" Spagnuolo asked him.
"I learned last year's offense in one year," Bradford said. "It won't be a problem."
That's Bradford, always up for a challenge.
"He wasn't even fazed by it," Spagnuolo said.
Devaney wanted Bradford the minute he saw him throwing at Oklahoma. He knew Bradford could be the guy to turn the franchisearound. After the 1-15 season, giving the Rams the first pick in the 2010 draft, there was little doubt that the quarterback-obsessed
Devaney would get his man.
"There seems to be so many great ones now," Devaney said. "You need a great one. In years gone by, you could have a solid quarterbacand win a lot of games. It seems now unless you have a truly great one, you are at a big disadvantage now. Getting Sam was huge for us
As a rookie, Bradford struggled some, but finished with solid numbers. His passion for the game was something his teammates noticedright away.
"He takes his job serious," Jackson said. "He's one of the first guys in the building and he's always here on Tuesday, our day off. He'smade great strides this year in being more of a leader, not feeling like he has to prove something to the guys. We saw what he did as arookie. We believe in his ability and where he can take this team."
Bradford's competitive drive is second to none on the team. Teammates marvel at how he enjoys being challenged, in anything, anywher
by anybody.
"That spreads throughout the locker room," receiver Danny Amendola said.
Bradford loves the new offense under former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. It will push the ball down the field more, which should plato his strengths more. He's also more in command of the offense.
"When I stepped into the huddle, I was the one talking," Bradford said. "Now I'm more comfortable in the huddle, so if I feel like I mighneed to say something to a guy about an alignment on a play or say something about a route, I have no problem doing that this year. Lasyear, I was figuring out what I was going to do most of the time."
Looking into the offensive huddle and seeing a guy like Bradford to build around is the most comforting thing for Devaney andSpagnuolo.
Publication:CBSSports.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/4 of 5 Date: 8/18/1
"It's a good feeling," Spagnuolo said. "But it can't be just on that guy."
"Having a quarterback like that to build around is a pretty big piece," Devaney said. "Even he knows that."
• • •
The veteran leader
Jackson has been through a lot of tough times in St. Louis. All the while, he has put up big rushing numbers with little fanfare.
He is the hidden superstar.
"I believe at the end of the day, when everyone is retired, you don't focus on the scoreboard, you focus on performance on plays day inand out," Jackson said. "I built my legacy around here on being a tough, hard-nosed player. It's unfortunate the majority of the carrieshave come on bad teams. But that doesn't make who you are."
Now entering his eighth season, Jackson has played on teams that have gone 35-77. He's never been on one with a winning record and hplayed on teams that went 2-14, 3-13 and 1-15. But, even with little help at times on offense, Jackson has rushed for more than 1,000yards in each of the past six seasons. He is still a vital part of what the Rams do.
"I've used the Reggie Jackson line before, but Steven is the straw that stirs the drink," Devaney said "He's been through a lot of toughtimes, but he's the consummate pro. He helps people. He's a great teammate. They respect him. It's great that all the crude he's beenthough and he can still carry himself the way he does."
Said Spagnuolo: "He loves it. He's like a warrior."
Jackson's per-rush average was 3.8 yards last season, the first time in his career where it has been less than 4.0. That has led to some talkthat he's slowing down at age 28. The reality is the interior of the line wasn't very good. They didn't get much push, which hurt thenumbers. The passing game also didn't stretch the field, which meant a lot of eight-man fronts.
Jackson wouldn't throw teammates under the bus when asked about his drop in production.
"It is what it is," Jackson said. "I know I can still play."
• • •
Core players
If you look at any of the recent Super Bowl champions, including the Packers last season, the rosters are dotted with good, young,building-block players.
These might not be the stars, but they are vital to the success of building to win a title.
The strategy is simple: Draft them. Play them early. Go through growing pains and then watch them blossom in the third, fourth and fifthseasons.
The Rams have several of those kinds of players who are essential if they are to build something special.
There are middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, defensive end Chris Long, cornerback Bradley Fletcher and left tackle Rodger Saffold.
All four are 26 or younger. All four will be counted on for big things in 2011.
"Look at the two teams in the Super Bowl," Devaney said. "That's the way you want to build your team. They had a sprinkling of freeagents, but most of their kids are from the organization. They draft well, earmark the guys they want to keep around, and then win withthem. We want to copycat those guys."
When Long arrived as the second player drafted overall in 2008, he came with big expectations. It took time, but he had his best season i2010. Now he, and the team, appear ready for more.
ST. LOUIS RAMS NEWS CLI PS
Publication:CBSSports.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/5 of 5 Date: 8/18/1
"I had this misconception coming out that all NFL teams are equal in terms of talent," Long said. "I found out that wasn't the case. We hsome holes in some areas that needed to be worked on. I think Coach Spags and Billy Devaney have done an awesome job of bringing in
all kinds of players and the right kind of players."
• • •
So now the pieces seem to be in place. Now comes the hard part for the Rams, taking a step forward.
"We learned a lot about what it takes to win in this league," Jackson said. "We blew some games in the fourth quarter that will help us thyear. Now we know what to expect. We can build on it."
Jackson was asked what it would be like to be on a winner, a playoff winner, a Super Bowl winner.
"It would take some time getting used to," he said.
He might want to get ready. The Rams should be competitive for the next 5-7 years -- thanks to having the key components in building asuccessful team.
Publication: SI.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 6/16/11
Why Rams D will dominate in 2011
By Kerry J. Byrne
Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo rose to fame as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants -- specifically behind the awesomeperformance of a defensive front that battered Tom Brady in Super Bowl XLII and stifled New England's record-setting offense.
Those giant-slaying Giants of 2007 were not particularly great in any area, except one: with Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and JustinTuck, they fielded the best defensive front in football, No. 1 on the groundbreaking Defensive Hog Index we use atColdHardFootballFacts.com to rank each NFL front seven. That unit proved its ranking was justified by dominating New England'soffensive line in that instant-classic 17-14 Super Bowl victory.
Fast forward to today, and Spagnuolo's Rams are quickly following the same statistical blueprint that his Giants first drew up in 2007:they're building a contender around one of the most dominating defensive fronts in the game. The improvements from 2009, Spagnuolo'first year in St. Louis, to 2010 were nothing short of amazing.
The 2009 Rams went 1-15 and struggled in all aspects of the game as the worst team in football. The 2010 Rams went 7-9 and were justone win away from making the postseason. In fact, their regular-season finale loss at Seattle was a de facto playoff game -- the winnerearned the NFC West title and a spot in the tournament.
St. Louis rookie quarterback Sam Bradford earned much of the credit for the turnaround, as quarterbacks often do. And he was certainlysteady and largely unflappable hand at quarterback, especially by the standards of a first-year player. But the truth is Bradford was not adifference-maker last year. It was the St. Louis defense -- and its Defensive Hogs in particular -- that brought the dreadful Rams of 2009to the brink of the playoffs in 2010.
Our Defensive Hog Index rates each defensive front in three key areas: ability to stop the run, ability to force mistakes (sacks, INTs) inthe passing game and ability to get off the field on third down. No team in recent history rocketed up the Defensive Hog Index faster thaSpagnuolo's Rams did last year. Check out these incredible Cold, Hard Football Facts:
• The 2009 Rams ranked 30th at forcing Negative Pass Plays (6.4% of dropbacks ended in a sack or INT); The 2010 Rams ranked 9th atforcing Negative Pass Plays (9.3%)
• The 2009 Rams ranked 29th in third-down defense (43.5% success against); The 2010 Rams were 2nd in third-down defense (33.5%
success against)
• The 2009 Rams were 32nd and dead last overall on our Defensive Hog Index; The 2010 Rams were 7th overall on our Defensive HogIndex.
The only area where the Rams failed to improve dramatically was in run defense: the 2009 Rams ranked 20th in run defense (4.4 YPA);the 2010 Rams ranked 22nd in run defense (4.5 YPA). But the ability to stop the run is largely overrated. It's a passer's league, andmaking life miserable on opposing passers is the singular key to successful defense in the NFL.
The Rams were light years better pressuring the passer in 2010. The 2009 Rams forced just eight interceptions and 25 sacks; the 2010Rams forced 14 interceptions and 43 sacks -- nearly doubling the total of Negative Pass Plays in the space of a single year (33 to 57).
That pressure sparked a dramatic improvement in pass defense and, most importantly, a dramatic improvement on the scoreboard.
• The 2009 Rams ranked 31st in Defensive Passer Rating (96.9); The 2010 Rams ranked 9th in Defensive Passer Rating (80.2)
• The 2009 Rams surrendered 436 points (31st); the 2010 Rams surrendered 328 points (12th).
Defensive ends James Hall (10.5 sacks) and Chris Long (8.5) emerged last season into one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the leaguSpagnuolo's system certainly deserves some credit.
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In Hall's case, it was the second-highest sack total in his 11-year career and most since 2004; Long, who struggled in his first two years,emerged as the legit pass-rusher the Rams must have expected when they drafted him No. 2 overall in 2008 (pre-Spagnuolo). Meanwhiledefensive tackle Fred Robbins, an 11-year veteran who played for Spags in New York, also had a career year, with a personal best 6.0sacks.
Spagnuolo has proved his devotion to the position by doubling down on Defensive Hogs in his own drafts. He drafted James Laurinaitisin the second round of the 2009 draft, and the Ohio State product has started all 32 games at middle linebacker for the rapidly improvingRams defense. This year Spags grabbed talented pass rusher Robert Quinn with the No. 14 overall pick.
The Quinn pick told the football world that Spagnuolo intends to win in St. Louis much the way he won in New York -- with adominating group of Defensive Hogs. The unit he'll put on the field in 2011 has the potential to be the very best in the league.
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Rams defense looking to make people take notice
BY JIM THOMAS
One of the best-kept secrets of the Rams' Super Bowl XXXIV championship run is that one out of every six touchdowns that 1999 seasowas NOT scored by the offense.
Of the 66 TDs scored during a 13-3 regular season, 11 came on returns. Eight of those 11 return TDs were scored by the defensefollowing interceptions or fumble recoveries. (The other three came on kickoff or punt returns.)
"That is amazing," Rams defensive coordinator Ken Flajole said.
As the Rams aim toward being more productive on offense this year, Flajole is trying to have that mindset spill over to his side of the linof scrimmage. The Rams didn't score a defensive TD last season, and it was the first time since the franchise moved to St. Louis in 1995that the Rams failed to score a return touchdown of any kind.
For the Rams, three or four defensive TDs could mean one or two more victories, and that could be the difference between a playoff beror sitting out the postseason for the seventh straight season.
"It can certainly be a game-breaker if you can turn a turnover into a score on defense," Flajole said. "That can really be a momentumbuilder for your whole football team."
With that in mind, Flajole and the rest of the defensive coaching staff are placing greater emphasis on making "house calls" withinterceptions and fumble recoveries.
"We've made a big deal of it," Flajole said. "Even in our pre-practice, what we call our Pride Drills, we've spent a lot of time oninterception returns. Making sure we're blocking the right guys. Making sure we get to the near sideline. We really have kind of fallenshort on getting the ball into the end zone."
Scoring TDs may be an extreme example, but there's no doubt this could be the most aggressive defense since coach Steve Spagnuolo'sarrival in 2009. The overall talent level and depth has improved on that side of the ball. Many of the core players are entering the thirdseason in the defense and are very familiar with the scheme.
Take middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, for instance. "For the most part, we're just trying to focus on being downhill, attacking,aggressive, physical," he said. "And you're trying to do those things over perfect execution all the time."
Complex scheme
Execution is important, because in the spectrum of NFL defenses, the St. Louis scheme is on the higher end in terms of complexity.Beyond any physical skills needed to succeed in the system, it's also a thinking man's defense.
"We're not vanilla by any means," Flajole said. "We ask our guys to play the chess game out there on the field, and they've done a nice joof it. I'm looking at a guy like a James Laurinaitis; I think he, in my opinion, is a very cerebral guy.
"When I say that, I think he enjoys the dissecting, diagnosing, getting us in the right call. 'What are they doing out of this formation? Hodo we adjust?' He's that type of guy. Instead of just lining up and playing."
The Rams' aggressive style helped attract several of the seven veteran defensive free agents that signed with the team in late July andearly August.
"When I was in the market, that's exactly what I was looking for," said linebacker Brady Poppinga, who signed with St. Louis after sixseasons in Green Bay. "This is like putting on a pair of comfortable shoes and going with it."
Prior to the arrival of Dom Capers as Green Bay's defensive coordinator in 2009, the Packers played more of a passive read-and-reactscheme. "It really went against my nature, and it was very difficult for me to adapt," Poppinga said.
At that time, Poppinga looked with envy at NFL defenses that had aggressive schemes. "Like the Eagles, like the Giants ... saying, 'Manwish I could some day get the opportunity to be a part of those defenses,' " he said. "And lo and behold, that wish came true. So here Iam."
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McDaniels' philosophy: 'I just want to win'
BY JIM THOMAS
Josh McDaniels grew up in a football town, in a football family and the son of a football coach. And all the stories surrounding that aretrue.
By age 4 he was attending two-a-days to watch his dad's high school team. By age 10 he was scouting games with his father. He got afootball for Christmas every year, and slept with a football every night well into his teen-age years. He'd wrap the footballs in a towel tokeep them warm; it helped keep them properly inflated.
When it was story time, his grandmother pulled out the NFL Football Encyclopedia and read to him.
"I still have that book," McDaniels said. "I had asthma, so I was sick a little bit more than most kids. So my grandmother spent a little bimore time with me. My parents spent a lot of time with me."
Anybody who knows anything about Ohio high school football knows who Josh's father is — Thom McDaniels. From 1982-97, the eldeMcDaniels went 134-42 at powerhouse McKinley High in Canton, winning a state title. He later coached Maurice Clarett at HardingHigh. In a twist of fate, he's now an assistant coach at McKinley's archrival — Massillon High. "He's gone over to the dark side,"McDaniels said, laughing.
With all that in his background, was there any other way for Josh McDaniels to go career-wise than coaching football?
"I was around it a lot," said McDaniels, who eventually played quarterback for his father at McKinley. "Got to go to practice. Got to go tthe games. Got to be in the locker room. See all the inner-workings of a football program. And just kind of fell in love with it."I didn't have any idea I would do it at the NFL. Never really thought about that till I had the opportunity to latch on with New England.But I just wanted to be involved in the game because I think it's great. I think it was a great way for me to grow up"
So, long before McDaniels was a graduate assistant under Nick Saban at Michigan State, or was hired by Bill Belichick in New Englandor learned the Patriots' offense from Charlie Weis, he learned football from his father. And Thom McDaniels wasn't just a football coachhe was a football junkie.
He attended a clinic almost every weekend throughout the winter. Every spring he'd make a couple of visits to a college campus, wherehe'd watch practice and study film. Legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler was a big influence; so was former Ohio State coach JiTressel.
"Maryland, West Virginia, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Minnesota," Thom McDaniels said. "I've gone all over the place to get answersand to learn more about whatever phase of the game I had an interest in at that time.".
At first it may have come more by osmosis, but young Josh McDaniels was the beneficiary of all that football exposure and knowledge.He couldn't help but have a higher football IQ than many of his peers, be it in high school or as a quarterback-turned-wide receiver atJohn Carroll University in suburban Cleveland. (One of McDaniels' college teammates was London Fletcher, the former Rams linebackenow with Washington.)Who knows what McDaniels would be doing now if his father were ... an insurance salesman.
"I don't know," he said. "I always felt when I was younger that I learned more from being around football stuff than I did in any class Iever took or any year of schooling that I was ever involved in. Because you get to learn about adversity and teamwork and leadership anworking with people."
UP THE COACHING LADDER
McDaniels had barely gotten his feet wet in coaching, when he found himself out on the street. Saban left Michigan State for LouisianaState following the 1999 season, and in the aftermath McDaniels was out of a job. He didn't have to sell insurance; just scrap plastic.
"We'd bring it in, melt it down, and sell it," McDaniels said.
Brian Daboll, currently the Miami Dolphins' offensive coordinator, helped get McDaniels out of plastics. Daboll had been on thatMichigan State staff in '99, was with New England in 2000, and helped hook McDaniels up with the Patriots.
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McDaniels interviewed with Belichick and Patriots executive Scott Pioli in February 2001. His first day on the job came later that monthat the NFL scouting combine. He split his time doing grunt work for Pioli in the front office and grunt work for Belichick and thecoaching staff.
"They put me in charge of breaking down all the film for the Patriots' defense to study," McDaniels said. "So I was breaking down theoffenses that we were playing. That was when I got to see St. Louis in depth that year because we played them in the regular season, thewe also played them in the Super Bowl. It was kind of a neat deal because you got to see all the things Mike (Martz) was doing."
As stunning as the Patriots' Super Bowl victory was over the Rams, Martz said after the regular-season victory at Foxborough 2½ monthearlier that the Patriots were good enough to reach the Super Bowl.
"I remember that game," McDaniels said. "We blitzed a ton. It was like 55 blitzes, and I don't think we got to Kurt (Warner) once. It wasclose — 24-17 or something like that. But we weren't quite good enough at that point. We were getting better."
(Actually, the Patriots did sack Warner once in a game where he threw 41 times for 401 yards and three touchdowns.)
Next came two years as a defensive assistant. "Those two years, where I was actually in the (meeting) room on the defense side, weretotally invaluable to me because I got to spent every day with Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Rob Ryan, Pepper Johnson, and Bill."
In '04, Belichick switched him to quarterbacks coach, and in '05 after offensive coordinator Charlie Weis left to become head coach atNotre Dame, McDaniels began calling plays. At age 29. He wasn't officially given the title of offensive coordinator until the followingseason.
It was a meteoric rise up the coaching ranks, and one that didn't stop there. Following the 2008 season, he was hired as head coach of theDenver Broncos. At age 32. Maybe it was a case of too much too fast, because McDaniels crashed and burned in the Mile High City.
After a 6-0 start in '09, the Broncos lost 17 of their next 22 games. Little more than a week after it was discovered that the Broncos hadillegally taped a San Francisco walk-through practice prior to a game in London, McDaniels was fired with four games left in the 2010season. He wasn't unemployed long.
REVIVING AN OFFENSE
For McDaniels, Denver already seems a long way off. He likes being back in the Midwest, and seems relaxed entering his first season aRams offensive coordinator. He has a No. 1 overall draft pick at quarterback in Sam Bradford and a two-time Pro Bowl running back inSteven Jackson. But there are question marks in a revamped receiver corps, and the offensive line must show improvement.
The Rams drafted a tight end and two wide receivers; in free agency they signed a wide receiver, a right guard and a pair of backuprunning backs. But really, the team's biggest offseason acquisition was McDaniels.
"Bar none, he's one of the best coordinators in the business," said defensive tackle Justin Bannan, who came to the Rams via free agencyfrom Denver. "This guy knows football like no other. He knows the offensive side, and he knows the defensive side. He knows footballpretty much better than anyone I've ever seen, so as far as an offensive coordinator you're getting a guy that's a complete student of thegame. That knows the game, and knows how to attack weaknesses."
The Rams averaged only 18 points a game last season, tied for 26th in the league. To be a legitimate playoff team, they need anothertouchdown a game. Where does McDaniels find it?
"Whenever you go back and look at your team from the last year, there's always things that you see and you say, 'You know what, we'vegot to improve in these areas,' " McDaniels said. "There's usually a lot of 'em."
MISCONCEPTIONS
The challenge is identifying the best ways to improve in those areas, and hope that those improvements make you more efficient, moreexplosive, more productive. Which all sounds pretty basic. On the other hand, trying to pigeon-hole McDaniels' offensive philosophy istrickier. In fact, since he arrived in St. Louis a couple of misconceptions already have sprung up. Namely:
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Not really. During four seasons calling plays in New England and two years doing so as Denver's head coach, McDaniels had a tight endcatch more than 36 passes only once. In comparison, last year's top tight end in St. Louis (Daniel Fells, now with the Broncos) had 41catches.
As a unit, Rams tight ends caught 70 passes for 697 yards and seven TDs last season. In his six seasons calling plays, McDaniels' tight
end units topped 70 receptions only once, had more than 697 yards only twice, and combined for more than seven TDs only twice.
2.) McDaniels is all about the passing game.
Not necessarily. Although he's never had a 1,000-yard rusher in New England or Denver, the Patriots finished sixth in rushing offense in2008, 12th in '06, and 13th in '07. So in three of those six seasons, McDaniels-coached offenses finished in the top half of the league inrushing. They weren't far away from that in 2009, either, when the Broncos finished 18th.
So what is his offensive philosophy?
"First of all, I just want to win," he said. "That sounds simple, but sometimes I think that means we've got to do what's necessary thatweek against that team. Sometimes it may be asked of us to play faster and be no-huddle because that's the best thing for that game. Othetimes it may be run the ball a whole bunch — maybe more than normal because that's the best way to play 'em.
"The way that I would describe it is we want to try to use the people in our room to give ourselves the best chance to succeed. So if thetight ends warrant us throwing them the ball a whole bunch because they're that good in the passing game, then that's what we should do
"And if we have a great running back — which I think we do here — then he deserves to touch the ball a certain number of times everyweek. If the quarterback plays better in the shotgun, then we'll be in the shotgun more. The receivers, if we're better out of a bunchformation than we are in a spread formation, then we should be in a bunch formation."
TAKING IT WEEK TO WEEK
So take the notion of being flexible using offensive personnel. Couple that with the idea of attacking specific weaknesses of the opposindefense each week. And you have the two basic tenets of the McDaniels' system. In that sense, it's a week-to-week proposition
"Largely our concepts and our protections, and what runs we want to run, those will stay fairly the same," McDaniels said. "It's just how
you place your guys in the best position to succeed against that defense. That to me is what changes on a weekly basis.
"Our guys have been great in training camp because we've tried to simulate that a little bit. Each day has not been, all right, we're runninthe same things we did yesterday. It's been, here's the new stuff, let's learn it, let's go out and execute it well. We've tried to get them intothat frame of mind because that's kind of how we hope to play when we go from week to week."
The seeds of that approach were sewn with his father back in Canton.
"We were taught to be analytical and we were taught to understand what it is that defenses are trying to accomplish with that front andthat coverage and so forth," Thom McDaniels said. "Because everything has a weakness. Everything has a strength. And if we understanthe strength and understand the weakness, then we'll attempt to expose the weakness and to attack the weakness to the extent that we canWe'll manipulate the defense if that's possible."
Those two early years spent as a defensive assistant in New England were invaluable as well. "We were trying to figure out how to beatother team's offenses, and how our rules worked against certain people," McDaniels said. "When I did transfer over (to offense), a lot ofthat information has really shaped how I do things on offense."
Because of the lockout, McDaniels has had only five weeks to figure out what the Rams's offensive players can and can't do. And if youplayers aren't good enough, there's nothing in the playbook that can help. And certainly nothing in the NFL Football Encyclopedia, eithe
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Bradford steps into Year 2 ready to go to next level
BY BRYAN BURWELL
The making of an NFL quarterback is a fascinating process. A year ago at this time, the pro football world was awaiting confirmation thSam Bradford was as good as advertised. He was the No.1 pick in the NFL Draft, and he was in the early stages of learning his craft.
Surrounded by teachers who were trying to teach him new techniques and an entirely new football language — not to mention dealingwith the scrutiny of teammates and legions of hard-bitten pro football wise guys who are not easily impressed — young Mr. Bradfordpassed with flying colors.
He was the NFL's offensive rookie of the year. He set an NFL rookie record for most consecutive passes thrown without an interceptionHe opened eyes and removed all doubt about his ability to hold up under the physical pounding at this level. Yet now we are on the vergof his second season in the NFL as the Rams starting QB, and the same eyes are on him again.
Since we live in a "what have you done for me lately" world in pro sports, we have to pay close attention to these things.So consider this the Bradford Update 2011: The kid isn't a kid anymore, and he's dead set on getting better.
The throws are getting better. His command of Josh McDaniels' new offense is shockingly good and his willingness to assume leadershiof this team — his team — is now complete. And just in case you were wondering, he is not looking for modest, incrementalimprovement for the Rams.
He's convinced the Rams can win the Super Bowl.Not in the future, people. He's talking about right here, right now.When asked what his goals were for this season recently, Bradford didn't play coy.
"A trophy," he said with a glimmer in his eyes.
As in the tall, sterling silver Lombardi Trophy?
"Uh huh," he said, smiling even more. "Why else are we in this business?"
This came up a lot during the summer as Bradford sat with all the national football writers who came to camp ready to praise Bradford
and the Rams for last year's 7-9 season. And every time that happened, Bradford got angry. He told them he did not come to St. Louiswith the intent of being average. He came here for the same reason he went to Oklahoma. It's the same reason he used to give his bestchildhood friend the silent treatment when as 11-year-olds they were playing childhood games in the summer sun.
If they're keeping score, Bradford wants to win.
"That was my whole point in getting angry with those (reporters)," Bradford said. "Every time I was asked (if he was pleased with lastseason), I was thinking who in their right mind sets out to go 7-9? If you do that, that is so far from the right mind set that you're almostlike not even allowing yourself the chance to succeed. ... It's a joke really."
There is nothing in Bradford's competitive DNA that suggests he wants to do anything modestly on the field of play.
GROWING UP BRADFORD
"I hate to lose," Bradford says, almost embarrassed. "I reallllllly hate to lose."
He chuckles when he says this then drops his head in mock shame when asked how competitive he was growing up. "There were a lot ofstories, lots of 'em," he says.
He recalls the time when he was 11 years old and he and his best friend would get dropped off at a local golf course. The day would starof innocently enough with a bucket of balls on the driving range and maybe a dip in the swimming pool. "But as soon as we got on thegolf course, right after the first or second hole, everything changed," Bradford says. "As soon as someone took a one-stroke lead, westopped being friends. For the next 17 holes, we didn't say a word to each other. It was just bearing down and trying to beat the other guy
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"If you hit a good shot, I didn't expect to hear anything from him and he didn't expect to hear anything from me, because it wasn'tcoming," he says now. "I wanted to beat him and he wanted to beat me and it was just put your head down, make your shots and dowhatever you could to get in the other guy's head."
The little boys were grinding it out and even after the round was complete — win, lose or draw — the competitive fire did not extinguis
for an hour or so after they finished playing.
"We'd be sitting in the kitchen at my house and my mom would make us sandwiches for lunch and that's when we remembered we werefriends again," Bradford says. "It was bad. We wouldn't calm down until she handed us our lunch. And then a day later we were back at again. It really was bad."
Even now, a decade later, though, Bradford didn't really act like it was all that bad. In fact, as he tells the story, it sounds like this is acompetitive badge of honor, particularly when he explains that he can't really think of a circumstance growing up where he would cut afriend or family member a break on the field of play.
"Oh no," he laughs. "I would never let anyone win."
'HE'S OUR LEADER'
There were plenty of challenges for the rookie quarterback last year, but there are just as many for the second-year QB, too. There isanother new playbook to devour, another offensive coordinator to tutor him on the finer points of the job, another season full of expectations to fulfill. But the one thing that we have already learned about Bradford is this: the questions no longer revolve around if heis up to the task, only when he will blossom fully as one of those once-in-a-generation franchise quarterbacks who can lead a team tochampionship prosperity.
"You know it's crazy to think of him only in his second year," nine-year veteran offensive lineman Adam Goldberg said. "I don't eventhink of him as a young guy anymore. He's our leader and we do what he tells us to do. You know sometimes when you test things thatare not proven, like a rookie, you just keep putting more on their plate to see how they handle it? You start off small, then you keep onpiling more and more stuff on their plate."
Goldberg is one of those people who enjoys sizing people up. He carefully observed every subtle and not-so-subtle thing that Bradfordwas confronted with, and came away distinctly impressed. He was waiting to see if the burdens that were being piled on the kid would
buckle him even in the slightest way. "But with Sam," said Goldberg, "the more stuff you add, he seems to get more comfortable. It's likyou're just giving him another tool in his tool belt."
The first challenge he faced for his sophomore season was the labor lockout that kept the players away from coaching and supervisedmini-camps and organized off-season team activities. That meant that there would be no intense instruction from coaches on McDanielsnew offensive system. But before the lockout began, Bradford received a playbook from McDaniels and on his own took a crash course learning every detail of the thick playbook.
TAKING CHARGE
As the lockout dragged on, the players got together for several unsupervised workouts. As the Rams players traveled around the countryconducting off-season workouts from St. Louis to Norman, from Houston to Phoenix, Bradford's teammates began to notice that the quieand reserved rookie had vanished. It was more than just his outspoken demeanor, though, that was different. It was his complete
command of his environment.
There were veterans and rookies at these lockout workouts with a new playbook and no coaches there to explain it to them. There were ncoaches around to make sure that these makeshift OTA's and mini-camps had the same sense of urgency that supervised workouts wouldhave provided.
They had no coaches, but they had Bradford, and that was more than enough.
"We knew that we were going in the right direction with Sam this summer," said Mardy Gilyard, the second-year wide receiver who wasrecently cut. "Sam was some of everybody. He went from being Coach Spags to Mickey D (McDaniels) to being (receivers coach NolanCromwell. He was whoever we needed him to be. He took the tight ends to the side and 'Hey we need to run it this way.' He took our wireceivers aside and said 'Hey we need this (pattern) run here, and we need this (pattern) run there. We need you to break it off at this
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point, not this point. Do this, do that.' Sam knew exactly how he wanted everything run. And for all this (offensive system) being so brannew, we were all looking at Sam like 'Damned man, you really know it.'"
And then Gilyard smiled like he had just discovered a wonderful secret, which of course he actually had.
"That's exactly what we need in our starting quarterback," Gilyard said. "You would have thought Sam has been in this league for 10years by the way he took control of everything."
THE GROWTH PROCESS
A year ago, he wouldn't have been able to do this. At least that's what Bradford thought. He did not want to be viewed as a cocky rookiewho came in with no pelts on the wall expecting people to follow him simply because he was the No.1 draft pick.
"I think there were a couple of times (last year) where I shied away or looked for someone else to say something just because I felt, youknow, who am I to say something?" Bradford admitted. "As the season went on, I probably felt like in the back of my head, yeah I couldhave said something. But at the same time I was still not trying to step on toes, and not be that guy where everyone looked at and said,'What do you know rookie?'"
That attitude was not only noticed, but appreciated by veterans like cornerback Ron Bartell. "You definitely appreciate somebody whocomes in humble, and willing to learn, willing to listen, especially with the amount of money these guys are being paid nowadays. So itwas refreshing to see that. But this football team is going to go as far as he takes us. It's his team. We all recognize that. He's the No.1overall pick. He did a lot of great things last year. This is his football team. We make no bones about that."
But based on the way he played as a rookie, I asked Bradford if he really thought anyone would have raised an eyebrow if he had spokenup more often.
"I don't know," he said.
This wasn't false modesty. It was the sensible, even-headed manner of a young man who was smart enough to know that leadership is nosomething you grab, it is something you earn.
"Looking back at the beginning of the year, I still had to prove myself," Bradford said. "Now by the end of the year, I did become more
vocal. But for most of the time last year, I was still trying to figure out what I was doing. I didn't have time to worry what everyone elsewas doing. When we were watching film, I was still trying to figure out where I was going to go with the ball. I wasn't trying to harp onpeople about being a yard short or a yard deep on a pass route. I was just trying to figure out what the defense is doing and what am Igoing to do. This year I am more comfortable with everything, so I am able to do more than concentrate on my own situation."
THE COMPETITIVE FIRE
That comfort level with assuming the outspoken leadership role is one of the many things that immediately struck McDaniels as heobserved his young quarterback. "That's been really an exciting thing for me to see," says McDaniels. "He is a little bit more reserved incertain settings. But I think that's because he's paying great attention to all the little details and all the coaching points.
"But the other night for example (before the pre-season game) in Kansas City, we made one mistake in pregame. We were running our 7on-7s and somebody was misaligned, and he grabbed the skill group right there and just lit into 'em, you know, in a positive way about,
'there's no room for that.' I think that he shows that fire and that intensity specifically on game day. And I think the more comfortable hegets in our offense this year with the guys he's playing with in the huddle, I think you'll see that on a more continual basis. It's there and shows it. He has a great sense for the right timing for it, too."
There have been several revealing moments over the past year where Bradford has exhibited that competitive fire. There were two gamelast year where coach Steve Spagnuolo wanted to take Bradford out of the game, once when the head coach was trying to protect the kidfrom getting battered by the defense and once when the coach thought the kid wasn't playing well. Both times Bradford barked back atSpags and refused to come out.
It was not a rebellious move. It was a leadership move. Bradford believed that a bad message would be sent to his teammates if the coacever took him out of a game for any reason other than injury. He didn't care if he was getting beat up. So were his teammates. He didn'tcare if he was struggling. He would find a way to rebound and give his team its best chance to win.
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Those were eye-opening moments that showed that Bradford was finding his leadership voice.
"When Sam talks it's not for just any reason," says receiver Danny Amendola. "It's because he has something to say. He's going to be onof the great ones. He knows how to get it done."
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Competitive fires stoke Bradford and rebuilt Rams
BY PETE PRISCO
Sitting in a chair inside an office at the St. Louis Rams' facility during a recent interview, Sam Bradford was about as cool as he looks onthe field. He was polite. He was courteous. He was thoughtful. But then I made the tactical error of bringing up the team's expectations
after the Rams' surprising 7-9 record in 2010, a season that saw Bradford, the top pick in the draft last year, show that he has the tools tobe a top-tier quarterback. The Rams were a game away from winning the NFC West after going 1-15 in 2009, so the natural assumptionthat it was a good year, including the surprise push for a playoff berth. Don't dare say that to Bradford.
"It bugs me when people like you say our expectations are higher now," Bradford said. "For most people, their expectations for this teamare middle of the road. That just bugs me. If guys in this building ever start to believe in people's expectations, than we are in trouble. Ouexpectations are way up there. If we don't get there, we should be mad. We should be pissed off. Last year, for example, we were a gamefrom the playoffs. And I heard more people say we had a good year. I'm like, 'Are you kidding me?' We didn't make the playoffs. Wedidn't win a playoff game. We didn't make the Super Bowl. You're telling us we had a great year?"
That's who Sam Bradford is as a competitor. He doesn't play anything or do anything to finish second.
"My expectations are for us to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl," Bradford said. "If you don't think that way, you just settle.That's the worst thing in the world. If I came out and said last year that if we could just win four games it would have been awesome,that's terrible. Who wants to be 4-12? Why ever set expectations like that. It blows my mind."
It's that way wherever he competes. Take the ping-pong table. He is the best on the team. But receiver Danny Amendola beats him nowand then, and Amendola said it drives Bradford crazy.
"I let him know all about it," Amendola said. "He beats me more than I beat him, so I have to get on him when I do win. He doesn't likeit."
It's that drive and determination that helps feed this young team. If they see their second-year quarterback with that much drive, it has torub off.
"He wants to be the best at ping-pong, he wants to be the best at pool, he wants to be the best at everything," Rams linebacker JamesLaurinaitis said. "That's the way he is. When your quarterback is that way, guys look to that. That's what's so special about him.
"He wants to be the best quarterback. No matter how much money you give him. No matter how high the expectations, nothing willchange. His goal is being the best. He's very motivated. He's very competitive."
In his first season, Bradford threw for 3,512 yards and had 18 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. It was an impressive rookie seasonone that made Bradford look at times like he's been doing it for a long time.
That was on the outside. On the inside, it was a different story. "I was trying to figure out what went along with playing the position,"Bradford said. "Kind of doing it on the fly."
Bradford said early in his rookie season he would rarely get past the second read. By midseason, he was getting to third and fourth readsThat inability to go through his progressions led to what some said was too much checking down.
Bradford's yards-per-attempt average was 6.0 yards, which was lowest among starting quarterbacks -- except fellow rookie JimmyClausen of Carolina.
That led to the notion that Bradford wouldn't take chance throws. He doesn't like that perception. "I wouldn't say chance, I wouldn't sayrisky," Bradford said. "I feel as a second-year quarterback now it's a lot easier to go through my progressions. Last year, for the most parespecially early, I'm going to one and two and if it's not there I'm going to throw it away or check it down. Once you feel comfortable ingoing through the progressions that's where I guess what can appear to be riskier throws happen. They're really not. They're just takingwhat the defense gives you."
Bradford now has to learn a new offense for the second consecutive year. Just as he got settled into the offense run by Pat Shurmur, theBrowns hired Shurmur away to be their head coach. Josh McDaniels replaced him. McDaniels was fired as coach of the Denver Broncosbut he brings a reputation as a good offensive mind. The new offense will have more formations. It will have more throws down the fiel-- be more wide open.
Publication: CBSSports.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 8/8/1
And Bradford loves learning a new system all over again. That's the competitor in him.
"Any quarterback would be crazy to tell you they wouldn't be excited to play with Josh," Bradford said. "The challenge of learninganother new offense is what makes it fun. It's not like it's something I've been doing for 12 years and it's repetitive and boring. I'm nottired of doing the same things every day. It's something new. Every day is a challenge. Every day I feel I am getting better. Every day ou
there I am getting more confident."
Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the offense will be made up of 60 percent of what McDaniels brings and 40 percent of what Bradforddid well last season.
"I enjoy watching the interaction between Josh and Sam and seeing how intense Sam is at getting everything down perfect," Spagnuolosaid. "That's who he is. I can see that he is very determined and motivated to be perfect in this thing. That's the guy. He's motivated to ruthis offense better than anybody who has run it."
In case anybody's wondering, a guy named Tom Brady ran the same offense. Bradford has a long way to get to that. But he's off to a goostart. Just don't tell him that. There's so much more to do -- and this is one quarterback that doesn't seem as if he will ever be content witwhat he's already done.
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 9/18/11
Rams Spagnuolo Will Keep The Faith
BY BERNIE MIKLASZ
In the late stages of his team's disappointing 31-13 loss to Philadelphia, Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo was already working on nextweek's game plan. It began with the effort to restore his players emotionally.
Spags moved from player to player on the sideline, offering words of encouragement and a pat on the back. You could see the players noat the coach in agreement. Some put an arm around him.
"I knew there was a teaching moment there," Spagnuolo said Saturday afternoon in his office at Rams Park. "Most of what I was sayingwas, 'Hey, men, we have a long way to go. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Get your heads up.' I'd like to consider myself to be a teacher. I'mhere for them. Not to bang them down and wear them out because I want to show that I'm some kind of tough guy or 'leader.' I don'tbelieve in tearing people down. I'm here to hopefully build something."
Spagnuolo believes that it's best to challenge players after they've had time to cool down, and think. In the days after the loss to theEagles, Spagnuolo's upbeat persona gave way to his more pragmatic side. In reviewing what went wrong against the Eagles, he isolatedtheir mistakes and demanded more attention to detail.
"It doesn't accomplish anything to overreact," he said. "I don't think knee-jerk is the way to go. It just shows a lack of composure. After couple of days, I still jumped them for things that shouldn't have happened."
Spagnuolo's patience and power of positive thinking will likely be tested in the coming weeks as the Rams navigate their way through avicious early-season schedule. Next up: Monday night's game in New Jersey against the New York Giants.
Whether the Rams win or lose, you can count on Spagnuolo to keep his head together. That consistency is a reason why playersappreciate playing for Spagnuolo.
Coaches tend to be insecure. The pressure, the losing, can drive them crazy. When things get nasty, you'll see coaches try to score pointswith the media and fans by berating players publicly. These diatribes are entertaining, but they tend to damage the trust between playerand coach.
Rams players know that Spagnuolo will have their back. He won't sell them out to redirect the heat away from him. If he's upset, he'll de
with his guys privately, and his criticism is almost always constructive.
So where does this come from? Why does Steve Spagnuolo strive to see the best in people when it would be so much easier to wallow innegativity and misery?
Faith is an important component of Spagnuolo's life. Faith formed much of the foundation of his marriage to wife Maria. Faith is thefabric that holds everything together, including his positive coaching philosophy.
"Faith is huge to me," Spagnuolo said. "There is no conceivable way that I should be sitting where I am. There's only one reason that I'mhere, it's because God wanted me here."
And to understand why Spagnuolo considers it something of a miracle to be sitting there in his office on this gray Saturday, preparing fothe Giants, you have to go back to a warm summer night in 1980, when he was 20.
It was July 8, the evening of the annual MLB All-Star Game. Spagnuolo, living in Grafton, Mass., made plans to go watch the game withis best friends Richie Vacca, Jackie Herbst and Craig LeClaire at a local hangout.
At the family dinner table, Steve's mom, Carol Spagnuolo, asked him to reconsider. Her father — his Grandpa Leo — wanted to comeover and watch the game with Steve.
Spagnuolo initially resisted. But he remembered a conversation with his girlfriend after the death of her grandfather. She told Steve toappreciate opportunities to be with Grandpa Leo while he still had the chance.
And so the young Spags called his friends, told them to go on without him. He stayed home to watch the All-Star Game with GrandpaLeo.
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At 7 a.m. the next morning the phone rang.
Richie, Jackie and Craig never made it home. After midnight, their car had swerved into an oncoming tractor trailer, and all three werekilled in a horrific head-on collision.
"I should have been in that car," Spagnuolo said. "I shouldn't be here. Someone, for whatever reason, watched over me. There are nonormal reasons why I should have been in New York and won a Super Bowl in my first year with the Giants (as defensive coordinator.)Or why I should be the head coach of this team.
"When I have doubts in my mind, I go back and say 'Wait a minute, I know God has got me here for a reason.' And I don't believe He'dset me up to fail, because look at what all that He has done for me.' So it gives me strength."
And it keeps Spags positive, too. That wasn't always the case. The shocking death of his friends actually pushed Spagnuolo away from hfaith.
"I was pretty young, confused, searching for answers," he said. "And I remember thinking about why my life was saved that night. Andwhy my friends died. I have to tell you I had a dark period for eight, nine years after that.
"I was always thinking, you know, 'How could You let that happen to my three friends? There must not be a God.' I was lost for a whileBut there were people in my life who kept knocking on the door. They weren't going to let me stay in that place. Finally, I began to comaround, and I grew."
Spagnuolo is grateful to Leslie Frazier, now the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. As assistants on Andy Reid's staff in Philadelphiathey shared an office. Frazier, a devout Christian, helped Spagnuolo clear his head during long talks at night, after the football work wasdone for the day.
Frazier helped revive Spagnuolo, spiritually. And when Maria came into his life, Spanguolo was rescued completely.
"My wife is so unique and special," he said. "She never has a weak moment. She is an amazing person. I believe the reason she is like this because she has Christ in her. That's where I think it comes from. I'm not always like that. I fail all of the time. But she has it. And howlucky I am to have someone with me like that every day."
During quiet moments, Spagnuolo will occasionally think about his three friends, Grandpa Leo, and the twist of fate that eventually ledhim on a path to become head coach of the Rams.
"When we leave our high school years, and go away to college, you probably end up with only two or three really close friends in lifefrom that time," he said. "And three of mine were just wiped out. So there was a big void there. I think about it a lot on the anniversary."
Richie, Jackie and Craig died on July 9, 1980.
Steve and Maria Spagnuolo were married at the Vatican in Rome in a small, quiet ceremony on July 9, 2005.
"We didn't plan it that way," he said. "But it's a good thing. It really is a good thing."
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 3 Date: 5/1/1
Burwell: Quinn offered hope in player's time of need
BY BRYAN BURWELL
Nancy Butters doesn't know all that much about football, but she sure knows plenty about people. Butters is a social worker at DukeUniversity's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, and you can learn a lot about people when you spend your working hours dealing
in the incomprehensible sadness and uncommon inspiration inside a hospital pediatric ward.
This is where Butters first set eyes on a 19-year-old Robert Quinn sitting amidst a room full of kids his age and much younger. Some of the children in the room were laying in beds with IV needles in their arms. Many were frail and bald, barely clinging to life.
But there was nothing frail about Quinn. He was a well-muscled football player, not a terminal cancer patient. It was the fall of 2009, twyears before the talented University of North Carolina pass rusher would become the first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams. Here hwas, two years removed from being told rather clinically that he had a tumor growing in his head and that soon he potentially could endup brain dead.
"The nurse told me that, then made this very dramatic walk out the room," Quinn remembered. "It was kind of like that Boobie Milesmoment (in the movie "Friday Night Lights") when they told him he would never play football again. I looked at my mom and just lostit."
But Quinn was one of those medical miracles Nancy Butters prays for every day. He was lucky because the doctors not only discoveredthat his tumor was benign, soon after an operation to shrink the tumor and reduce the swelling to his brain, Quinn was back playing sporand on his way to becoming a scholarship athlete and a future NFL first-round draft pick.
And now here he was at the hospital — at her request by the way — trying to provide some inspiration for another young football playernamed Lavelle Sloan, who had recently learned that he too had a tumor lodged on his brain.
"It was the most amazing thing," Butters said. "Think about it for a moment. It can't be the easiest thing in the world for a kid that youngto have survived something like this like Robert had. And you could understand completely if the last thing he wanted to do would be togo into an environment where everyone around him was acting as a reminder of what he'd gotten through. It could have been the last thinhe wanted to see or do. But here he was walking right into this ward with kids taking (chemotherapy), and he handled it wonderfully."
Before you start questioning what sort of character the Rams may have drafted with the No. 14 selection in the first round, you might
want to check in with Nancy Butters. You have heard the stories about the kid being permanently expelled from NCAA competition foraccepting "illegal benefits" from an unscrupulous South Florida jeweler, and maybe you're wondering if the Rams have brought some soof unsavory scoundrel to Rams Park.
If you feel that way, ask Butters what she thinks. She can't stop finding fine things to say about Robert Quinn.
"I was sitting there watching him get drafted (Thursday) night and I can't tell you how good that made me feel," she. "I know all thethings that were said about him and the trouble he got in with the NCAA, but the Robert I know is a fine young man. ... If you know whI know, you'd understand exactly why I feel this way."
A time of hope
So what does she know that you don't know?
This is not the sort of thing you will find on his football curriculum vitae. The story begins in May, 2009, in a small North Carolina townof Spring Lake when a 5-foot-5, 170-pound running back at Pine Forest High School near Fayetteville named Lavelle Sloan was rushed Cape Fear Valley Medical Center with blurred vision, severe headaches and vomiting. The 18-year-old Sloan underwent tests thatrevealed a golf ball-sized tumor growing on the right side of his brain.
One day later, he was at Duke undergoing exploratory surgery. When he came to hours later, Sloan sat in his hospital room with hisparents and listened as doctors and social workers tried to explain what was wrong. They called it a grade 4 glioblastoma, a malignantcancerous growth that is aggressive and difficult to eradicate. But when you are an 18-year-old kid with a lifetime of dreams floating inyour head and some stranger in a white coat starts such sobering conversations, surely all you can hear are the most frightening fragmen
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Tumor ...
Malignant ...
Cancer ...
Chemotherapy ...
They told him he would have to give up football, but Lavelle kept hoping, praying and believing that he would beat cancer and find hisway back onto the football field for his senior year. The treatments made him too weak to play, but one day in the fall of '09 he waswatching a UNC football game on television with his father, Randy McLaughlin, when they heard the commentators talking about RobeQuinn and how he had overcome his brain tumor and gotten back on the football field.
"He's been through what I have," Lavelle said at the time. "He gives me a lot of hope."
In October of 2007, early in his senior year at Fort Dorchester High in North Charleston, S.C., Quinn began waking up each morning wisevere headaches. The headaches got worse, and Quinn began acting strangely. "I noticed things were going on," his mother, Maria, said"The color of his eyes were changing, he was complaining of headaches. He was going to bed early, and that wasn't him. Then one nighthe went to bed at 9 o'clock on a Saturday and I knew something was wrong. But I just figured he was tired. But the next day he woke upand something was really wrong."
The headaches were so severe that he collapsed in the bathroom, and his parents immediately took him to the hospital where theydiscovered a benign tumor on the right side of his brain just above his forehead. He underwent emergency surgery to reduce the size andremove fluid from around the tumor that was causing the swelling in his brain and causing the headaches.
Before the operation, that's when the nurse made the dramatic announcement on the severity of the tumor. "They told us he would neverplay sports again," Maria said. "I said that was up to God."
Her husband, James, a former world-class high hurdler in college, said the only thing he wanted to know about was "whether (the tumorwas cancerous or not. When it came back that it wasn't cancerous. I was relieved. Then, when they said he might not be able to play sporagain, I was okay with that as long as my son was going to be alive. That was my biggest concern."
But Robert was devastated to hear he would never play sports again. He was an undefeated heavyweight state wrestling champion andwas receiving countless football scholarship offers, and he couldn't fathom a life without sports.
"I cried like a baby when they told me that," Robert said. "But a few months later, I was back on the mat and winning the state wrestlingtitle again."
Lavelle Sloan heard that part of the story, and he knew he had to meet Quinn. Nancy Butters remembers the conversation she had withhim about his new favorite sports hero, and she decided to see if she could get the two kids together.
"But Nancy told me not to tell Lavelle because she wasn't sure it was going to happen," Sloan's mom, Marilyn, recalled.
"To be honest with you, I was just hoping he'd send us a jersey or an autographed picture," Butters said. "But here comes Robert. Heshowed up, and it just immediately lifted Lavelle's spirits."
The first time they met was when North Carolina played Miami in Chapel Hill on Nov. 14, 2009. Sloan and his family were invited totheir first-ever college football game, and during warm-ups he was allowed on the field. Quinn came across the field and brought a few ohis teammates with him, and they all gave Lavelle hugs and encouragement. Then, Quinn promised they would meet again.
Two weeks later, when Sloan came to Duke for his intravenous chemotherapy treatments, Quinn came to the hospital to visit.
"I don't know to this day what they talked about in that room, but whatever it was, it lifted Lavelle's spirits," his mother said.
"It was just guy stuff," Quinn said. "We talked football. We talked about life. We talked about the tumor. I told him he was going to makit through. I told him the doctor told me I was supposed to be brain dead, so I'm living testimony that it can happen. I didn't want to go inthere and tell him something negative no matter how serious his condition was. I wanted to give him hope. I had to give him hope,because at times like that, that's all you have to cling to."
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Aggressive Tumor
By Christmas, things were not going well. Lavelle was losing more weight and getting weaker. He could not take Quinn up on aninvitation to visit the team as Quinn and the Tar Heels prepared for a bowl game against Pittsburgh. The first round of chemotherapywasn't working, and the cancerous tumor was getting more aggressive and doctors were changing him to a physically and emotionally
draining 21-day cycle of oral chemo.
Just before Christmas, Robert sent Lavelle a color photograph of Quinn in action, bursting around the edge of some hapless offensivelineman. Across the bottom of the photo was Quinn's autograph and a short message.
"He wrote, "Keep your head up,'" Marilyn Sloan said. "The day that photograph arrived, Lavelle saw it and for the first time in weeks, hgot up out of the bed. He was strong and energized. It was such a wonderful thing."
And then there was a long sigh.
"Unfortunately, it didn't last long enough," she said.
On April 14, 2010, Lavelle Sloan died peacefully in his mother's home in Spring Lake, just a week shy of a special graduation ceremonyhis high school had planned for him. On the day he passed away, Robert Quinn said someone sent him a text message to inform him of Sloan's death.
"I remember looking at my phone and I just broke down in tears," Quinn said. "I just kept thinking about what his mother was goingthrough."
A week later, officials from his high school presented Marilyn Sloan with her son's diploma and his football jersey. She buried him in hi jersey. "He kept working, and he was trying to make it to graduation," Marilyn Sloan said. "It was his dream to go to Wake Forest."
One year later, on the day after the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, Marilyn Sloan was in her car listening to the radio and they weretalking about Robert Quinn being drafted into the NFL, and she just started to smile.
"It made me think of Lavelle and all the kind things Robert did for him," she said.
Nancy Butters felt the same way as she watched the draft on TV.
"Meeting Robert was the highlight of the last 12 months of Lavelle's life," Butters said. "If you saw what he did with Lavelle and howmuch time he spent with him and how much he cared for Lavelle when he really didn't have to, you would understand why I feel the wayI do. To me Robert was an angel."
Publication: USAToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 9/02/1
Chris Long leads under-the radar Rams defense
BY JIM CORBETT
Pressure has long been third-year St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo's hallmark from Super Bowl XLII-winning defensive schemerwith the New York Giants to ramping up a seventh-ranked Rams pass rush.
With veteran players joining the defensive unit, fourth-year Ram Chris Long looks to increase his sacks. "This could be a breakout yearfor Chris," coach Steve Spagnuolo says.
Pressure has always been an unspoken companion in fourth-year Rams defensive end Chris Long's life. Except now, the second overallpick in 2008 is bringing heat after long ago vowing never to surrender to expectations to live up to father Howie Long's Hall of Fameresume.
Long enjoyed an under-the-radar, 8½-sack 2010 breakout, a strong indication the 6-3, 276-pound left defensive end is on his way tocreating his own pro football name.
Second-year quarterback Sam Bradford is the face of the 2011 Rams. Yet how far the Rams go depends on how well Bradford iscomplemented by an improving defense.
Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan won a Super Bowl in 2007 under Spagnuolo and knows exactly how importanLong will be to proving the Rams are for real.
"It is a defensive-end system," the Fox analyst said. "The way Spags has set it up, Chris is in the right position to have a big, big season.Last year was an unsung year for Chris. He was more reactive, less mechanical. They added some veteran defensive guys who have madplays and been veteran leaders. This could be a breakout year for Chris."
Four of those free-agent upgrades include new starters in former Eagles safety Quintin Mikell, strongside linebacker Brady Poppinga,weak-side linebacker Ben Leber and defensive tackle Justin Bannan.
In tandem with counterpart end James Hall, Long combined for 19 of the Rams' 43 sacks last season.
Further, Long tied for ninth with Seattle's Chris Clemons in combined quarterback hurries and knockdowns with 36. He'll get some help
on the other side with first-round rookie speed rusher Robert Quinn figuring to spell the 34-year-old Hall at times.
Next up? Long hopes to crack the double-digit sack barrier.
"I felt like I was getting there a lot last season," Long said. "Certainly, it's frustrating to get there a lot and not get the sack numbers. Butyou just have to keep coming at the quarterback, staying positive, knowing you affected the quarterback.
"That's all part of playing good team defense, not being selfish — just trying to get pressure."
Spagnuolo's defense is built in the relentless pressure image preached by late Philadelphia Eagles coordinator Jim Johnson. Spags startedin 1999 coaching the Eagles secondary.
"I'm hoping Chris has the same performance as last year, if not better," Spagnuolo said.
"Obviously, we've always put huge value on that particular end position. We've always done that in this system. I learned that years backwith Jim Johnson and Andy Reid.
"We've got some guys now we hope can keep doing that. Chris is one of them."
A run defense that sprung cut-back leaks Aug. 20 against the Tennessee Titans tightened up in a Week 3 preseason showing againstKansas City.
Publication: USAToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/2 of 2 Date: 9/02/1
Long figures to see less of the incessant holding by offensive linemen give the interior line additions of Bannan and former IndianapolisColt defensive tackle Daniel Muir plus former Green Bay Packer Poppinga and former Minnesota Viking Leber upgrading the unit's twooutside linebacker spots.
"In an offseason where there were a lot of big-name free-agent acquisitions across the league, we went with guys that maybe not as manpeople know as well, but they're great football players," Long said.
"They're going to be integral parts of this scheme and also they come from places where they're accustomed to winning. Both Poppingaand (cornerback) Al Harris came from the Packers, who just got a Super Bowl ring.
"Q' Mikell just came from Philly, where they're accustomed to winning every year.
"We've acquired guys who know how to win and set that standard of excellence."
A 12th-ranked scoring defense figures to be stingier.
"It's fun to play in this defense," middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "It's a very exotic scheme with a lot of pressures.
"But just because we went from 1-15 to 7-9 and almost making the playoffs last year doesn't guarantee we'll be better."We have to stay hungry to get there."
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 1 Date: 8/3/1
Gibson is an early standout among Rams receivers
BY BILL COATS
With 12 wide receivers on hand for Rams training camp and probably no more than six spots available on the regular-season roster, thecompetition promises to be intense.
Bring it on, says third-year pro Brandon Gibson.
"You've got to like the competition; it's what's best for the team," Gibson. Besides, he added, "There's nothing you can do about it. Just gout there and play every day."
Over the first four days of camp, Gibson has kicked off a strong bid for a job. He's been working mostly with the first-team offense,which, Gibson pointed out, doesn't mean much this early.
"I don't want to get too excited in this process," he said. "I'm just going to try to stay level."
Despite a couple of missteps during Tuesday's 2½-hour practice in stifling heat, Gibson has been cobbling together a strong showing.
"Everything he's done, he's done it a hundred miles an hour," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "He's almost to the point where he's wornhimself out a little bit. But I know one thing: The quarterback has a lot of confidence in him."
Gibson was one of the beneficiaries of the arrival of No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford, who threw for 3,512 yards last year and wasnamed Associated Press offensive rookie of the year.
The 6-foot, 210-pound Gibson, a sixth-round draft pick out of Washington State, nearly boosted his totals significantly from his rookieyear, when he was acquired in a trade from Philadelphia just over a month into the season.
Gibson had 53 catches, an increase of 19 from 2009, and piled up 620 yards after getting 348 the year before. He was second among theRams to Danny Amendola in receptions and yards.
Still, Gibson wasn't celebrating his individual accomplishments. The 16-6 season-ending loss at Seattle, which deprived the Rams of aplayoff spot, "left a bad taste in my mouth," Gibson said. "I want to get another shot at winning the NFC West."
To close in on that goal, the Rams will have to exploit the offense brought by new coordinator Josh McDaniels. He was head coach inDenver in 2009 and part of 2010, and before that served as offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick in New England.
McDaniels' system is "intricate, it's detailed, it's complex," Gibson said. "It's going to be great. You saw last year with Denver and inyears past with the Patriots, it can be very explosive."
It also relies heavily on multi-wideout sets, something that naturally pleases Gibson. "But I think in any offense there's opportunities," hesaid. "You've just got to make the most of them."
And that's the plan, as he heads into year two with Bradford.
"That was one of my goals, to pick up where I left off last year," Gibson said. "So hopefully we can continue to get better and better."
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 8/4/1
Former Packer Harris has something to prove
BY JIM THOMAS
When you're trying to improve your game, why not study the best? So it was that Rams cornerback Ron Bartell spent an entire summer couple of years ago watching tape of Green Bay's savvy corner tandem of Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
Suffice to say when the Rams signed Harris to one-year deal a few days ago, no one at Rams Park was happier than Bartell, with thepossible exception of coach Steve Spagnuolo.
"I think it was a great pickup," Bartell said. "I've been picking Al's brain since he got here."
Bartell is entering his seventh season in the NFL and has 88 games and 64 starts on his résumé, so he's far from a wide-eyed rookie. Hisrespect for Harris is telling.
"Just to have the privilege and the honor of playing with Al Harris is huge," Bartell said. "I mean, he's been in this league 15 years atcornerback. I'm not sure many guys have done that."
For the better part of a decade, Harris was a familiar sight in the Green Bay secondary: intense, ultra-competitive, jamming receivers atthe line of scrimmage, breaking up passes, with his trademark dreadlocks flapping in the breeze. He was the quintessential in-your-facecornerback.
But Harris suffered a severe left knee injury in 2009 during a late November game against San Francisco. He missed the rest of thatseason, began the 2010 campaign on the physically unable to perform list, then was cut by the Packers last Nov. 8.
Thus ended a 7½-season run that included 102 starts.
Harris finished the 2010 season appearing in three games with Miami, but the Packers thought so much of Harris that they gave him aSuper Bowl ring following their 31-25 triumph over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.
"Those are my guys," Harris said. "Spent a lot of time there. Played a lot of snaps there. Lot of consecutive snaps there. So it is what it is
At age 36, and with all those games and seasons under his belt, why does the two-time Pro Bowler still want to play?
"I love the game, man," Harris said. "I've still got something to prove. I'm here to help win. Spags is a great guy. I remember him fromback in Philly. Diggs is here. I'm just trying to help build something."
Rams linebacker Na'il Diggs was a teammate of Harris' for three seasons in Green Bay. Spagnuolo's tenure in Philadelphia overlappedwith Harris for four seasons (1999 through 2002).
Originally a sixth-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 1997, Harris was claimed off waivers by the Eagles in 1998 and played for themuntil a trade in 2003 to Green Bay.
"We were in the same meeting room in Philadelphia," Harris said. "Spags has the same mentality as Jim (Johnson), bless his heart. Justthis defense, I was raised in this defense. This is the defense that I came up under."
The late Jim Johnson solidified his reputation as of one of the NFL's great defensive coordinators with the Eagles before his death in2009.
Even at his advanced football age, Harris said other teams showed interest in signing him this summer, but his mind was set on the Ramfrom the outset because of Spagnuolo and because of the defense.
"Spags hasn't changed at all," Harris said. "He's one of the good guys."
One reason Harris still wants to play is that he doesn't want to end his career off an injury.
"You can never leave when you're hurt," Harris said. "You always leave when you're strong."
As he enters training camp with the Rams, Harris says the knee feels good and he welcomes the challenge of trying to help build a team
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"I've been in this situation before, not so much coming off the injury, but to help build," Harris said. "We weren't always the best teams Philly, and we weren't always the best teams in Green Bay. ... So you help build by working, and the things that were passed on to me Ican pass on to the younger guys."
Like all other newly signed veterans around the league, Harris can't practice until the collective bargaining agreement is officiallyapproved.
But even in the handful of practices so far in camp, he has made his presence felt working with the other cornerbacks.
Bartell and Bradley Fletcher are the Rams' starting cornerbacks, and that won't change. But Harris might help on the field in the team'snickel and dime packages. And with all his experience and his willingness to share that knowledge, his role might best be described asplayer-coach.
"I think he's a great influence on the rest of the guys in that group, because he's been through it," Spagnuolo said. "He's been doing it along time. We put a lot of value on press corners, and Al has done that for a long time. So hopefully, by osmosis here, some guys willlearn something and he'll play some good football, too."
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"If I had to say anything about it, it would have to be perseverance," Kendricks said. "You've got to come out here with your mind rightand ready to go. Definitely an eye-opener."
Cornerback Ron Bartell sprained his left ankle covering rookie wide receiver Greg Salas, but walked to the trainer's room and after X-raSpagnuolo characterized the injury as mild.
Players are getting the day off Wednesday, a planned break in the schedule to avoid further soft-tissue injuries. Bradford had a long workday planned.
"My day off? Film and study," Bradford said. "I've got to try to stay ahead."
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 1/12/11
Rams are set at tackle spots
BY BILL COATS
In 1982, St. Louis football Cardinals head coach Jim Hanifan bucked conventional wisdom by deciding to start rookies at both tacklepositions. It proved to be a good gamble.
Tootie Robbins and Luis Sharpe spent 12 seasons starting alongside each other with the Cardinals, here and in Arizona. Hanifan also waan offensive line coach in the NFL for many years, including six seasons with the Rams after they moved here from Los Angeles.
And when Hanifan sizes up today's young Rams tackles, Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold, he conjures up memories of Robbins andSharpe.
"I look at Smith and Saffold and I'm going, 'Hey, they've got two fellas that should be there for 10 years,'" Hanifan said. "They're going tget nothing but better and better and better."
Sounds good to rookie quarterback Sam Bradford.
"It's very comforting as a quarterback knowing that those two guys are going to be here for a long time," Bradford said. "I think theyimproved as the year went along; that was evident. By the end of the year, they were playing at a very high level. I feel very comfortablewith those two guys protecting me."
Smith, a 6-foot-5, 307-pound second-year pro out of Baylor, was a virtual rookie after missing half of last season with a knee injury andconcussion. The second overall selection in the 2009 draft, Smith made 15 starts — he sat out one game because of concussion symptom— at right tackle this year.
Saffold, a 6-5, 323-pound rookie from Indiana University, surprised by winning the left tackle job in the preseason, then starting all 16games there. He was the Rams' second-round draft pick (No. 33 overall).
The Rams' three other offensive linemen, center Jason Brown and guards Jacob Bell and Adam Goldberg, were in the lineup everySunday, meaning that the offensive line made 79 of a possible 80 starts. Thus, the Rams enjoyed a continuity there that had been lackingin recent years.
"When you're working together with the same group of guys, the communication's real good," Smith said. "It just makes everythingeasier."
The presence of veterans Brown, Bell and Goldberg on the interior was crucial, Saffold said. "They've helped us along the way," he said"We've got to give them a little respect as well."
Nevertheless, the Rams' future on the offensive line is firmly entrenched in Saffold and Smith.
"They have a bright future," running back Steven Jackson said. "To have the amount of starts they had, to be in some big-time games,especially the last two weeks, you hope that those things help them, not only for their skill but for their confidence, knowing that they caplay at a high level in big-time games against some key pass rushers."
When the Rams drafted Saffold, it figured that he would wind up at right tackle, with Smith moving to the left side. Instead, offensive lin
coach Steve Loney first tried Saffold at left tackle, and that's where he stayed.
"My goal was to be able to play. I also wanted to be able to play the left tackle position," Saffold said. "Once I did get the job, I wasecstatic. But I knew it came with a responsibility."
The left tackle is charged with protecting a righthanded quarterback's blind side. According to STATS LLC, Saffold, 22, gave up just 3½sacks and was penalized eight times, including six false starts, for 50 yards. Smith, 24, yielded four sacks and also was flagged for eightpenalties, with five false starts, for 56 yards.
Bradford was sacked 34 times; only 13 teams gave up fewer. In 2009, the Rams yielded 44 sacks, which tied them for 25th in the leagueThe improvement in quarterback hits also was significant, to 78 (tied for 20th) this season from 98 (tied for 30th) in '09.
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Those numbers are even more impressive when considering that Bradford threw 590 passes, compared with 543 by Rams QBs lastseason.
At this point in their development, Saffold is regarded as a better pass blocker than run blocker; the opposite is true for Smith. So, there'plenty of room for improvement.
"We feel like we can focus in on being better in everything that we're doing," Smith said. Added Saffold, "There's so much to work on."
Still, the positives already far outweigh the negatives, Hanifan stressed.
"Both of them have really good feet, and they've both got very good recoverability; if they make a mistake, they're able to recover,"Hanifan said. "And then just go from there. I think they're both intelligent, both sharp guys. It was really cool to see the two of themoperate.
"If I'm Sam Bradford, I'm happier than all get out that I've got Jason and Rodger sitting right there. The three of them can grow togetherthink it's just a perfect deal."
Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Saffold "certainly exceeded anybody's expectations. And Jason, I thought he (improved) all year long. ... I'mhopeful it will be a cornerstone of what we're going to do here."
That's the plan, Saffold agreed. "I think we're going to be a force to be reckoned with," he said.
As soon as possible, he added.
"I think that that's something that we all look forward to, because we know that we're only going to get better," Saffold said. "If CoachSpags didn't tell us, 'Hey, rest, get your bodies right,' I'd probably be lifting and running today. That's just the type of person I am."
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 8/11/1
Rams wasted little time getting Justin Bannan
BY JIM THOMAS
The moment free agency opened in 2010, Justin Bannan's phone rang. It was Steve Spagnuolo on the line. The Rams head coach wantedBannan — then a Baltimore Raven — to come to St. Louis as an unrestricted free agent.
"Yeah, right at midnight he called me and we just had a good talk," Bannan said. "That was pretty cool. I didn't expect that."
Bannan ended up signing with the Denver Broncos, but like a spurned suitor, Spagnuolo wouldn't take no for an answer. When the 2011free agency period finally opened two weeks ago, Spagnuolo and the Rams went out early and hard once again after Bannan, a defensivetackle.
This time, the Rams got their man with Bannan signing a three-year contract worth $8.5 million. Back on the market as a salary capcasualty after just one season in Denver, several teams showed interest in Bannan. So why the Rams?
"The fact that they wanted me," Bannan said. "They really went out of their way to let me know that, and to me that goes a long way. Inmy view, you want to go where you're wanted. The coaches did a great job of reaching out to me early in the week (following the end ofthe lockout), and getting this thing going."
Bannan hadn't forgotten that phone call from Spagnuolo a year earlier, either.
"I knew that I was on their radar screen before I went to Denver," Bannan said. "I think having Coach (Josh) McDaniels come over andprobably vouch for me was also a plus."
McDaniels, the Rams' offensive coordinator, was Denver's head coach a year ago.
It's clear Spagnuolo must have seen something he liked on tape of Bannan, or he wouldn't have gone after him two years in a row.
"I guess so," Bannan said, laughing. "Hopefully, I don't disappointment him. It's nice to have the coach look out for you like that."
When it came to restocking the shelf at defensive tackle, the Rams didn't stop with Bannan. The team subsequently signed free agentDaniel Muir of Indianapolis, and a few days later, re-signed Gary Gibson.
"We're always looking for big guys," Spagnuolo said. "We've said all along, we're wanting to build this thing from the inside out, and bigmen were important."
The newcomers, Bannan and Muir, look the part. Bannan is 6-3, 310 pounds, and Muir is 6-2, 312.
Bannan, 32, is regarded as a no-nonsense, blue-collar type, but he's more than just a try-hard, high-motor guy. He's got some athleticismand has a quick first step off the ball which helps him get penetration on run defense.
"I would describe myself as a consistent football player in the NFL," Bannan said. "I pride myself on being a professional. I take my jobvery seriously. You don't have to tell me to do something twice.
"I think I play as hard as I can, play-in, play-out. And I'm not a selfish player. I'll sell out for the defense, to help the d-line out or the
linebackers out. You're going to see a guy that loves the game of football and goes out and gives it everything he has."
Like Bannan, Muir is a run stopper by trade, although Muir insists he can get to the passer.
"I didn't get an opportunity to pass-rush at Indianapolis, so I think here they'll be surprised to see that I can pass-rush with my size," Muisaid with a playful smile.
So you're a better pass rusher than given credit for?
"Something like that," Muir said.
Spagnuolo seemed genuinely amused when those comments were relayed to him.
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"I'm going to trust him on that, that he's underrated (as a pass rusher)," Spagnuolo said. "We'll see how it goes."
But Muir, 27, knows he was brought here to stop the run. St. Louis finished 17th in run defense a year ago, after finishing 27th in 2009and 29th in '08. Spagnuolo obviously wants to do even better, even with last year's improvement.
"You've got to go out there and stop the run first," Muir said. "That's the most important thing."
Muir says it's emphasized more in the Rams' scheme than it was with the Colts.
"It's a lot different," Muir said. "I wouldn't say that Indy's not concerned with stopping the run, but here, it's keyed to stopping the run firand foremost."
Muir said the Colts didn't show much interest in re-signing him. He said he talked some to Denver and "a little bit" to Seattle. The Ramsobviously, liked him a lot, to the point where they wondered: "Are we missing something? Why aren't more people after this guy?"
"I've always been the underdog," Muir said. "It's always been that way for me. Coming up from high school, college, pros — everythingcame in as a rookie free agent; I've always had to work for what I wanted. ... Hey, the Rams saw my film, that's what's important."
In Bannan, Muir, Gibson, and Fred Robbins, the Rams now have four players on their roster who were primary starters for their respectiteams last season. Throw in returning squad members Darell Scott and Jermelle Cudjo, and there is plenty of competition at defensivetackle in camp.
"There's lots of competition, and I think that's how they wanted to set this thing up," said Bannan, who missed practice Wednesday aftertweaking his triceps muscle. "What's cool is everybody on the defensive line — it's a great group of guys.
"All I can do is go out there and bust my butt as hard as I can every day and try and get better."
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 8/24/1
Mikell a big hit with Rams
BY JIM THOMAS
Quintin Mikell grew up in Eugene, Ore., and dreamed of playing in the Pacific 10 Conference, specifically for his hometown OregonDucks. But he wasn't recruited by any Pac-10 schools.
Instead he starred at Boise State, earning conference defensive player of the year once and sharing those laurels another year. But he wenundrafted.
In the NFL, he didn't become a full-time starter until his fifth season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
So this is a player who has had to prove himself every step of the way. Nothing has been simply handed to him on the football field. Tosay he plays with a chip on his shoulder because of that may be overstatement, but there's no doubt he is driven.
"Obviously, it makes you look at the whole game completely different," Mikell said. "When you have to work for everything you get, itmakes you appreciate what you have. And it also makes you realize that if I don't keep working, there's going to be somebody else that'sgoing to outwork me."
As a result, Mikell says playing football — particularly at the NFL level — is a gift, not a birthright. And he approaches it as such.
His eight-year run with Philadelphia ended this offseason. Mikell turns 31 on Sept. 16, and the Eagles have a distaste for 30-somethingsso they didn't try to re-sign him in free agency.
"The writing was on the wall, so to speak," Mikell said. "I kind of had a feeling."
But for once in his football life, Mikell didn't have to wait his turn, prove his worth, lower his sights or swallow his pride. The Rams camafter Mikell immediately once the lockout ended, and came after him hard. On July 26, the first day teams could negotiate with freeagents, Mikell agreed to a four-year, $27 million contract with St. Louis. The first two years, which total $14 million, are guaranteed. Infinancial terms, it's the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award for Mikell. But it also symbolizes his journey in football.
"Me and my wife had talked about it," Mikell said. "It was very emotional, because it was a long, hard road. It's not over yet. But itdefinitely was a lot of heartache, a lot of ups and downs, going down that road.
"Feeling like you should be playing, and dealing with a whole bunch of different things. To finally feel appreciated was probably thebiggest thing. I'm not saying I wasn't appreciated in Philly, but to feel like I was wanted once I hit the open market, it was just perfect."
The Rams needed a safety to replace Oshiomogho Atogwe, and Mikell had a history with coach Steve Spagnuolo in Philadelphia.
"He's grown and matured from when I had him as a rookie (in 2003)," Spagnuolo said. "He was just a young puppy, his head wasspinning all over the place. He didn't even know what direction he was going in. But he went fast. That's what he did. Even when he wasrookie."
Mikell earned his spurs as a special teams player, twice being named the Eagles' special teams MVP. For most of those early years inPhilly, Mikell bided his time at safety, backing up Pro Bowlers Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis. As a young player, Mikell looked upto Dawkins in particular, watching everything he did.
"Playing behind Mike and Brian for those years, I think helped him," Spagnuolo said. "Sometimes you get in this league and you getthrown into the fire too soon, and kinda get knocked back. But he was lucky in that he had time to grow."
More time than he wanted. But in 2007, the year Spagnuolo went to the New York Giants as defensive coordinator, Lewis signed withSan Francisco in free agency, opening up a starting job for Mikell in Philadelphia. Mikell made his mark almost immediately, earningsecond-team All-Pro honors in 2008 and 2010 and making the Pro Bowl in 2009.
When the lockout finally ended, and the free agency period began at the end of July, the first phone call Mikell got was from SpagnuoloSuffice it to say, Spagnuolo didn't have to give Mikell the hard sell.
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"Once Spags called me, I was like, 'Yeah, let's go,' " Mikell said. "I was very excited. Because I know the defense, I know what he bringto the table, I love the way that he coaches. It'd be nice to help a program, an organization like the Rams, kinda get back to where theyused to be."
Mikell, 5-10, 203, can play both the free and strong safety positions and is a sure tackler. The Spagnuolo system seems to blur the
distinction between the two positions anyway. But in effect, Mikell is replacing Atogwe, who not only was one of the most productiveplayers on defense, but one of the more popular and well-respected ones in the locker room.
No one was closer to Atogwe than Rams cornerback Ron Bartell. But even Bartell already gives Mikell a stamp of approval.
"I don't think there'll be that big of a dropoff — if any," Bartell said. " 'Q,' he brings a totally different style. He's physical. You can playhim deep. He's very versatile. Honestly, I think he's one of the more underrated safeties in the NFL. Great locker room guy. He's been apleasure to work with so far."
Although the basics of the Rams' defensive scheme are the same as what Mikell learned in Philadelphia, it has evolved since then. He'spicking things up quickly, but Mikell said the scheme has more differences than he expected.
Nonetheless, he says: "I felt like I was molded for this defense. I can move around. I can cover. I can let the corners play. I can play manto-man. I can coach. So I can do a lot of different things. I think I'm just a rounded player for it."
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 8/31/1
Sims-Walker feels blessed to be with Rams
BY JIM THOMAS
Two hours-plus wasn't enough practice for Mike Sims-Walker. He stayed after 'school" Monday, catching passes from Sam Bradford atRams Park.
"It's critical right now, man," Sims-Walker said. "We're a little bit over a week away from the real deal. We've got to buckle down. ... Idon't think me and Sam are where we want to be, especially with the timing thing. We've still got some work to do."
As a newly signed veteran, Sims-Walker had to wait until the collective bargaining agreement was approved Aug. 4 before he couldpractice with his new team. And then he missed a couple of days after tweaking his groin in the preseason opener against Indianapolis.
Time is running out for the veteran wide receiver to get tuned up for the regular season, and as fate would have it, Thursday's final tuneuis in Jacksonville, where Sims-Walker spent his first four NFL seasons.
"It's definitely bittersweet," he said. "I still have that, I don't call it a chip, I call it a crack. I have a crack on my shoulder. A chip is not benough for what I got right now."
The chip, make that crack, on Sims-Walker's shoulder is because the Jaguars showed no interest in re-signing him. Of course, playing hiold team would have been more meaningful in the regular season.
"Yeah, definitely," Sims-Walker said. "I looked at the schedule when I signed, and I saw it wrong. I thought it was the first game of theregular season. I was excited."
Nope, merely the preseason finale, meaning Sims-Walker and the Rams' starting offense will play only about a quarter. The Jaguars mayhave seen enough after four seasons, but once the free agency period began at the end of July, the receiver-needy Rams jumped on SimsWalker quickly.
"We've always liked him," general manager Billy Devaney said. "He was nicked a little bit last year with an ankle (injury) that hamperedhim. He tried to play through it, but you could see that he wasn't 100 percent. The guy scored 14 touchdowns over the last two years, sohe's got some ability. That's what we were looking for — a bigger guy that can run a little bit."
Count running back Steven Jackson among those excited to see Sims-Walker in St. Louis.
"I had a chance to see Mike up close and personal when we played Jacksonville a couple years ago," Jackson said. "He's a dynamicplayer, and he brings not only competition but credibility with being a starter in this league. He had a chance to work personally withTorry Holt for a year down in Jacksonville. He understands the art of running routes and getting open."
Sims-Walker said Holt, the longtime Ram, was a mentor and a father figure during their 2009 season together in Jacksonville.
"I called Torry up as soon as I agreed (to terms)," Sims-Walker said.
What did Holt tell him about St. Louis?
"He said it's home of the wide receivers," Sims-Walker said. "That was the first thing he said."
Sims-Walker didn't arrive as a total stranger to the Rams. He has known Jackson for a while. And he spent part of the offseason trainingwith fellow wideout Donnie Avery in Houston. "We did a lot of speed work on the track in Houston," Sims-Walker said.
The Rams may be excited to have Sims-Walker, but the feeling is mutual — and then some.
"They don't know how excited I am to be here," he said. "This is a blessing. I call it the perfect situation. I wouldn't want to be nowhereelse."
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"Sam Bradford. Josh McDaniels. The wide receiver corps that we do have," Sims-Walker said. "Very underrated. I promise you. Veryunderrated. I train with some of the best receivers in the game. I've seen a lot, I've studied a lot of the best receivers in the game. Trust mthese guys are right there. We've just got to get it together, go out here and grind every day, compete with each other, and we'll be fine."
Jacksonville was more of a run-oriented team during Sims-Walker's tenure there. In 2010, the Jaguars were one of only four teams in the
NFL that ran the ball more than it passed.
"Here, we spread it around a lot more," Sims-Walker said. "It's a receiver's dream with Josh McDaniels at the helm at OC. He throws theball. That's all he stresses is putting stress on the defense."
When drafted in the third round of the 2007 draft out of Central Florida, he was known simply as Mike Walker. But he changed his namto Sims-Walker after his father — Michael Sims — died of colon cancer Dec. 6, 2008.
"That was very devastating for me because my dad was like my everything," Sims-Walker said.
He started the Mike-Sims Walker Foundation in 2010, with the dual purpose of educating people on the prevention of colon cancer andproviding support for those affected by the illness.
Maybe it's mere coincidence, but Sims-Walker's career took off after the name change. He missed his entire rookie season with a kneeinjury. Knee problems plagued him again in '08, when he played in nine games and caught 16 passes as Mike Walker.
But as Sims-Walker in 2009, he broke out with 63 catches for 869 yards and seven TDs. Slowed by a nagging ankle injury last season, hfinished with 43 catches for 562 yards and seven TDs.
"I think when I'm healthy I'm one of the best guys to play this game," he said.
With a fresh start in St. Louis, he'll try to show that this season.
Publication: STLToday.com Section/# of Pages: Sports/1 of 2 Date: 9/12/1
Williams is solid in Jackson's absence
BY BILL COATS
Since his high school days back in Attalla, Ala., Carnell Williams has been known as Cadillac because of his smooth running style. Stillif you referred to him as a Chevy now, Williams wouldn't be insulted.
"You know, a Chevy is not bad," he said, laughing. "A Chevy is a dependable car."
When the Rams called on him Sunday after running back Steven Jackson left early with a thigh injury, Williams proved to be dependablAnd then some.
"That's not easy, to come in early in a game like that when Jack does down and (Williams is) asked to play as many snaps as he did,"quarterback Sam Bradford said. "But I thought he did a great job. He ran hard, he had a great presence in the huddle, and I think the guyreally kind of fed off him when he did come in there."
The 5-foot-11, 204-pound Williams, signed in early August as a free agent, piled up 91 yards on 19 carries in the Rams' 31-13 loss toPhiladelphia. Another free-agent pickup at running back, Jerious Norwood, added 10 yards on three carries as the Rams rushed for 154yards.
Williams totaled 140 yards of offense, tacking on 49 receiving yards on six catches. Overall, the Rams advanced 5.6 yards every timeWilliams touched the ball.
"It's good to have a good backup; we sleep a little bit easier," guard Jacob Bell said. "Your second-string guy is a starter in the league anyou can count on him. That's really big."
Williams, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2005 draft, started 67 games during six seasons with Tampa Bay. He lost his first-team job torookie LeGarrette Blunt last season, and the Buccaneers deemed him expendable.
Their loss was the Rams' gain, coach Steve Spagnuolo noted.
"Good move by Billy (Devaney, general manager) and his staff," Spagnuolo said. "Cadillac has been great since he got in here from thestandpoint of being a team player and knowing his role and knowing what he had to do. He stepped right in there, and we didn't skip a
beat."
Jackson raced 47 yards for a touchdown on the first snap of the first possession of the season for the Rams. He left after carrying for 9yards on the opening play of the next series.
Williams, 29, was ready to go when Jackson couldn't.
"Obviously any time you lose Jack it's frustrating, because he is a great player and his presence on the field changes things in thedefense," Bradford said. "But to know that we've got two guys behind him that can come in and keep the level of play very high, it's realreassuring as a quarterback to know that."
Williams recalled the advice he receiving during training camp.
"I can remember Coach just came to me one day and said, 'Cadillac, just stay ready. Because in this game of football, you just never knowhat could happen. Your snaps could go from 10 to 50,'" Williams said. "So mentally, I just stayed ready."
Bradford pointed out that the Rams didn't trim back their offensive approach with Jackson out. "We didn't alter anything. We kept ourgame plan the same," Bradford said.
Williams accounted for 45 yards — 17 rushing, 28 receiving — on a seven-play, 63-yard drive that culminated in a 23-yard Josh Brownfield goal late in the third period and cut the Philly lead to 24-13.
"It was just good to go out there and get some action," Williams said. "But just not getting the 'W' ... your individual stats really don'tmatter."
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After six generally productive seasons with the Bucs, Williams has proved his value in the NFL. Still, he'd like to re-emphasize hisviability.
"I feel like I have a lot of football left in me," he said. "I do want to establish myself as a guy who can get the job done. Every time I getmy chance, I'm out there doing my best. But that's just me."