Rams Team Report

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INSIDE SLANT

Quarterback Kyle Boller(notes) summed things up best Sunday after the Rams lost their 10th straight game to Seattle and their 11th straight at home.

“We’ve got to find a way to win,” Boller said. “I don’t care how it is; we’ve just got to find a way to win.”

The Rams seemed in position to have a chance to win, entering the second half trailing 14-10. They were behind despite outgaining the Seahawks 213-111 and having 6:46 more possession time, thanks in part to a Boller interception on fouth-and-4 from the Seattle 34 that was returned 65 yards for a touchdown.

Still, the Rams appeared to get a lift when Josh Brown(notes) nailed a 55-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. They started the third quarter with the ball, but they weren’t able to generate anything in four possessions. Three third-quarter possessions totaled 17 yards, and the first possession of the fourth quarter gained 6 yards and was a three-and-out. That 14-10 deficit grew to 27-10.

It’s been a broken record indicative of the last three seasons in which the Rams have won just six of 43 games.

“It’s frustrating,” Boller acknowledged. “It felt like we were in the game and just couldn’t get over the hump. We just needed to score more points and (commit) fewer turnovers.”

A factor Sunday was the departure of center Jason Brown(notes) late in the second quarter with a knee injury. With Brown out, right guard Mark Setterstrom(notes) moved to center and John Greco(notes) took Setterstrom’s spot. Setterstrom was starting because Richie Incognito(notes) missed his fourth straight game with a foot injury and right tackle Adam Goldberg(notes) was playing for rookie Jason Smith(notes), who was out after suffering a concussion against Arizona the week before.

Asked about the changes in the line, Boller said, “Well, it’s tough. Setterstrom had to come from guard to center. You know that’s always hard when you lose your starting center, but I think you have to fill in. Mark did a good job but it’s tough when you don’t get reps in practice. We just keep battling.”

When asked about the notion that the team took a step backward, coach Steve Spagnuolo said, “The one thing we’ve got to remember, and I’m not going to use this as an excuse, so bear with me here. But we have gelled. Since the first time we played Seattle (in the season opener) until now, I believe it’s a different football team.

“But we’re fighting some injuries right now at some key positions. So the dynamics of working together and getting better and better at certain things, maybe it takes a step back. But this is professional football and guys got to go in there and play. So we’ll expect the guys that have to go in there and play when guys get hurt to do the same thing as the guys who were in there.”

NOTES, QUOTES

—While the lack of offense in the second half contributed, the Rams’ run defense had another difficult day.

Seahawks running back Justin Forsett(notes) rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. In 11 games this season, opponents have rushed for at least 150 yards seven times, and the last three opponents have totaled 556 yards (185.3 per game).

“It’s obviously a lot of things,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said after Seattle rushed for 170 yards Sunday. “It’s not one thing, it’s not one person. I don’t believe it’s scheme although we’ll look at that. But … the tackling has to be better. They have 11 (players), we have 11 (players). When they run the ball someone’s got to tackle the ball carrier, so we need to improve in that.”

“That was a step backwards,” defensive end Chris Long(notes) said. “I think we’ve got a long way to go so we can’t afford to take steps backwards. We’re going to get in there tomorrow morning and try to correct these things like we try to do every week, and move on to the next one. We’ve got five more games this season, and hopefully we can put together five good ones. All that matters is the next snap, and we’ve got to have that mentality, because nobody is going to dig us out of a hole except ourselves.”

Defensive end Leonard Little(notes) said there’s no excuse for the tackling problems. “If you don’t know how to tackle, then you might not need to be in this business,” Little said. “We play some pretty decent running backs every week, so you’ve got to be able to tackle.”

• Spagnuolo on the team’s attitude: “I believe in the fight in this team, I told them that, I do believe in them. I’ll fight with them any time. I don’t think there was any quit there. They were battling at the end, but we’ve got to get the football part of it right. It’s not like anybody’s not working at doing that, but things are coming up that we’ve got to get straightened out. It goes back to basics: blocking, tackling, catching the football, in my opinion, so that’s what we’ll be focused on. That’s what needs to be done to get it right.”

• The attendance of 47,475 for Sunday’s game against Seattle was the lowest at home since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995. The local TV blackout was the first of the season.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Player Notes  

• OT Jason Smith, who experienced nausea and vomiting while at Sunday’s game and was taken to the hospital, was released and sent home in the evening when tests were normal and the symptoms were apparently not related to the concussion he suffered the previous week against Arizona. Smith was inactive for the Seattle game because he failed two neurological tests last week following the concussion.

• C Jason Brown had an MRI on his injured knee, which showed a second-degree sprain of the MCL. Brown has vowed to be on the practice field Wednesday.

• G Richie Incognito, who was upgraded to questionable on the injury report Friday but did not play against Seattle, might return to practice Wednesday. Incognito has missed four games since injuring his foot on Oct. 25 against Indianapolis.

• MLB James Laurinaitis(notes) had an MRI on his right shoulder, which revealed a mild AC separation.

• WR Brandon Gibson(notes) suffered a lower back contusion Sunday against Seattle, but X-rays were negative.

• LB Paris Lenon(notes) injured his wrist Sunday against the Seahawks, but X-rays were negative.

• LB David Vobora(notes) suffered a mild strain of his calf Sunday against Seattle.

• DE James Hall(notes) suffered a contusion to his knee Sunday, but he is not expected to miss any significant practice time.

Report Card Vs  . SEAHAWKS

Passing Offense:   D—QB Kyle Boller passed for 282 yards, but 97 came in the fourth quarter when the outcome was essentially decided. He threw two costly interceptions in Seattle territory, one of which was returned for a touchdown, and was sacked four times. Protection problems were persistent, especially after center Jason Brown left with a knee injury in the second quarter.

Rushing Offense:   B—RB Steven Jackson did the best he could on a sore back, but was not his explosive self. He scampered for 25 yards on his first carry of the game, then had just 64 yards on 22 attempts the rest of the game.

Pass Defense:   B-plus—The Rams held QB Matt Hasselbeck(notes) to 102 yards passing with a long of 17. TE John Carlson(notes), who burned the Rams in the season opener for 95 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions, had just two catches for 14 yards.

Rush Defense:   F—RB Justin Forsett rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns with 75 yards coming in the second half. On the touchdown drive that gave Seattle a 24-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, Forsett ran for 11 yards on fourth-and-1 from the 18-yard line, then covered the final 7 yards on two runs where the defense offered little resistance.

Special Teams:   C—Coverage was just OK, with Nate Burleson(notes) having a 29-yard punt return. Danny Amendola(notes) did fine on kickoffs (25.5-yard average), but totaled just 8 yards on two punt returns. Rookie linebacker K.C. Asiodu(notes) had a partially blocked punt. Kicker Josh Brown hit a 55-yard field goal, but missed a 46-yarder early that would have given the Rams a 3-0 lead.

Coaching:   C-plus—Coach Steve Spagnuolo still gets effort from his players, but not much consistency. The penalty situation has improved, with the Rams being penalized just four times Sunday. Once again, there was a debatable decision late in the game. With six minutes remaining and the score 27-10, Spagnuolo elected to go for a first down on fourth-and-3 from the Seattle 17, rather than kick a chip-shot field goal that would have made it a two-score game.

Updated 43 minutes ago
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101 Comments

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  1. MICHAEL M
    101. Posted by MICHAEL M Wed Nov 18 9:58am EST

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    evidently most y'all were watching a different game than me. Bulger cannot throw the ball and catch them as well. He is starting to get moore time and teams are having to focus on Jackson again. Welcome back to greatness Steven. Spags is getting there. Let's be patient.
  2. captain
    100. Posted by captain Tue Nov 17 8:54am EST

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    I get so tired of the anti Bulger comments what game do you people watch? Gibson was a great pick up i actually enjoyed watching him, I think next year with a healthy L. Robinson and Gibson the Rams will have more reliable options at WR. As for McMicheal, he couldnt catch a bus. Thanks for that great pick up coach Linehan. Keep up the good work Coach Spags at least one fan knows we are headed in the right direction.
  3. ALexis
    99. Posted by ALexis Sun Nov 15 3:12am EST

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    Bulger sucks! Rams should either draft colt mccoy or jimmy clausen. And the mcnutt guy from iowa.
  4. Hombre Lobo
    98. Posted by Hombre Lobo Sat Nov 14 1:06am EST

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    we're going to the superbowl!!!
  5. ♬ ♪ αℓєנαη∂яα♬ ♪
    97. Posted by ♬ ♪ αℓєנαη∂яα♬ ♪ Fri Nov 6 5:50pm EST

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    Like i said before rams need a new qb so next year we can start fresh i love my rams and been a rams fan since 1975 and until the day i die rams fan for life.
  6. MR. HOLLYWOOD
    96. Posted by MR. HOLLYWOOD Thu Nov 5 11:28pm EST

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    I like Bulger good QB, and if he can turn back into the old Bulger passing for 300 plus yards ever game then The Rams can be hell raiser again.......Fresh Rams coming off a bye week.......
    Rams 31 Saint 21.
  7. bob k
    95. Posted by bob k Tue Oct 27 8:00pm EDT

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    Yeah we need a lot more than a qb to lead this team I have been a rams fan since john hadl and roman gabriel jack snow we need to build a defense and dont make stupid ass moves like getting rid of 2 hall of fame wide recievers regardless of their age and steps they may have lost they are 10 xs the wr the rams have now and it pains me to say that my team is the worst in the nfl . That being said we need to trade the number one overall pick next year for a mint of picks and rebuild this damn team the right way the old school defense If we do keep that pick get a big huge defensive tackle like mccoy from oklahoma or cody from alabama not bradford or mccoy or tebow or claussen if we pick claussen number 1 i will jump ship we can get a decent qb later with someone like locker or reesing or even pike lets build a team not a team around a draft choice we have the best all around running back in the nfl lets get him some playmakers to go with him
  8. derrty d
    94. Posted by derrty d Mon Oct 26 9:47pm EDT

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    the rams should try to trade bulger. he's not a good teacher the rams wr's need. he's not the man we need to lead the team. he did have his years. but since the rams is planning on rebuilding we need to get away from bulger as well. we need a spark and bulger doesnt have it. he doesn't have anything. that could turn our team around.
  9. captain
    93. Posted by captain Fri Oct 23 2:23pm EDT

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    Everyone seems to forget that we are still paying for the Mike Martz era in St. Louis. Dumbest draft picks and ignorant play calling ever. (:Bulger is still recovering from gun shy sydrome) One blown super bowl and Trung Canidate and that QB turned WR whatever his name was. Coach Spags is attempting to make this into a younger hungry team that doesnt sit back and rely on The Greatest Show to win games, Rome wasnt built in a day. Im more worried about L.A. getting their old team back. Dont look now but They are planning on building a new 75,000 seat stadium. Please Mr. Custer I dont want to go. Keep the faith rams fans losing football is better than no football.
  10. yuseae fudo uchiah
    92. Posted by yuseae fudo uchiah Thu Oct 22 10:09am EDT

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    go to hell its st louis rams @#$% not the gay la lambs la does not and will not come to la
  11. <i>ahzie99</i>
    91. Posted by ahzie99 Fri Oct 9 4:56pm EDT

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    Come on back to LA Rams.... We need a team here, and maybe we can make a fresh start on a clean slate!

    Come on back....
  12. ManuelH
    90. Posted by ManuelH Fri Sep 25 12:53am EDT

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    I miss the good days,come on rams lets go, ramo for life
  13. stoned
    89. Posted by stoned Sat Sep 19 5:55pm EDT

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    rams fan for life! yes, we've had a few bad years, but how many teams have been in the super bowl twice in the last 10 yrs....and won one. i think we're moving in the right direction.....good defensive minded coach.....who has a winning attitude...many young players with alot of talent. i think we just have to deal with Bulger for one more year......our glaring weakness. i think he'll be gone next year, unless the o-line starts protecting him......can u imagine getting hit as many times as he has by guys that weigh 300 lbs.....i would be a little gun shy too.....he used to be a really good qb. i dont believe we will make the playoffs....but do dream.....i just wanna see the young guys improve and get that winning attitude. BE PATIENT FELLOW RAM FANS.......NEXT YEAR IS GONNA BE OUR YEAR.....but we can still dream about this year........DREAM.....10-6........REALITY......6-10......GO RAMS!!!!!
  14. ♬ ♪ αℓєנαη∂яα♬ ♪
    88. Posted by ♬ ♪ αℓєנαη∂яα♬ ♪ Fri Sep 18 3:06am EDT

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    Hey daniel dont you think they should give kyle boller a chance if bulger doesnt do good by the second or third game what do they have to lose.
  15. Daniel
    87. Posted by Daniel Wed Sep 16 1:40pm EDT

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    I disagree. Most of Bulger's incompletions were roll-out plays. He doesn't have a young Holt and Bruce to throw to anymore. The O-line gave him more time to throw last year, and especially, against one of the better front 7s in the NFL.

    The playcalling stunk, and we gave up on the run way too early.
  16. ♬ ♪ αℓєנαη∂яα♬ ♪
    86. Posted by ♬ ♪ αℓєנαη∂яα♬ ♪ Sun Sep 13 7:35pm EDT

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    Mark bulger sucks they need to start kyle boller do you agree.
  17. DAVID H
    85. Posted by DAVID H Tue Sep 1 5:23pm EDT

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    Be patient Ram Fans. The 2006 draft is gone completely so Spags is not going to work miracles in 2009. He will make progress although at times this year it's going to be ugly. Take the good times and enjoy at least I think this team cares which will be a 180 degree turn around! Pops
  18. <i>shotring</i>
    84. Posted by shotring Tue Aug 25 2:13pm EDT

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    Ill take Vince Ferragamo over Bulger and Wendell Tyler 26, 1980 Rams, that was the team!
  19. Tazman074
    83. Posted by Tazman074 Sun Aug 23 1:01am EDT

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    Hey to all we rams "true" fans- give it a chance- to post 80 "John" I too remember those days- I was a high school player- Olson was my idol wore his number, played each down like him at DT and OT- those are the days that keep me in the fold. I (as many of us have) stick with the team because it is in fact our team- through the tough, learn years (2-14) when we were known as the lambs and the yams (sports center) kept the faith, hung my head, and just waited for teh other shoe to drop. I really think it did the last two years- Some peoplewant free agents to come in to save the team and our pride- but this year there are some other free agents who are stinking up their teams (look at Matt Cassel), Yeah the rams have been rebuilding for what it seems is forever, but I really like the youth this year, the head coach is instilling as another reader wrote "Attitude", the D is starting to work into it, as the O line is. Does anyone recalll the most exciting (sports center quote) super bowl in modern time? no it wasn't with the 49ers, the giants or those teams it was the rams and the steelers. do you guys recall that the rams weren't even suppose to be there, that even the city of L.A. was against them? Even when the super bowl was in L.A. the fans and the experts were calling it a blow out for bradshaw and the steelers before kickoff- a bunch of no names rams not only brought it to the power house Steelers and then some, yeah the rams lost the game on a last moment of luck from Bradshaw- but that is the samwe type of team I really think is growing this year in St. Louis, Sure we may not make it to the big show (God I wish we do) but at this point kicking some Ass in the leaugetoday and geting that old time swager from the turff days and the attitude of teh days of blue and white uniforms is just what these guys need, heck it is what the Ram nation needs. I have had to move half way across the world to work, I can't watch the rams play, but do catch the games on the internet radio feeds so i call for the "true ram nation" to stop being so super critical and just wait for the opener to see what will be. I always say wait for next year after the fifth games (ther last three years) but I will hold off and do what all true fans do "KEEP THE FAITH" heck at least we are no where as bad as detroit or as out of control as the raiders- we have character and a real desire to stop being "nobody's and the doormats of the leauge" I really think we will make a move in teh west and isn't that what it is all about WIN THE DIVISION" Go Rams From a life long die hard fan in the Kingdom of Bahrain last thing try being a ram fan when you are from the geographic area with N.E, Giants and Buffalo and Jet fans then talk to me about being a true fan.
  20. <i>apbldrs@...</i>
    82. Posted by apbldrs@... Fri Aug 21 2:28pm EDT

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    As I see it, the Rams front office is reluctant to sign big players from the free agent market. Reluctant to sign people that have proven ability is the key in winning. Drafting the best of what is needed is key. So then why if your defense needs the run stopper or hole plugger. you pass on Ray Malaluga? Affraid to take chances to win? Bulger is very weak in the pocket and his disposition reminds me of " Chris " Evertt. to can't play that way not have the ability to run and make people and your team mates believe in you...... I still be rooting for them however come Sept. Go Rams !!........
    Andy Perez
  21. Coach King
    81. Posted by Coach King Wed Aug 19 11:55am EDT

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    Vick has signed and is already playing for the Eagles. Stupidity runs wild!
  22. john
    80. Posted by john Tue Aug 18 5:32am EDT

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    Bo, I remember them days of Roman Gabriel, Jack Snow and the Fearsome Foursome. Do you remember that little RB they had? I also remember when we won the division year after year with Hacksaw Reynolds and Co. The defense with Hacksaw gave the Sea-Weinies a game which they like to forget when the Rams beat them 20-0 and for the first time, an NFL team ended up with negative yards in a game. Yeah, Renee, defense won those division championships but the Rams defense was not rated higher than most and the Vikings in the cold had a better defense. They also had a better coach. Until the Rams #2 defense in the NFC won the Super Bowl and a coach that had Super Bowl experience brought them there. As for our receivers, who do you think taught Holt and Bruce? That's why we have coaches or do you think they are anonymous? Be glad we have a defensive coach who will, and I emphasize WILL, build a better defense in time!
  23. Shirley
    79. Posted by Shirley Fri Aug 14 4:43pm EDT

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    lets go rams. with new coach and system i feel u guys will go far and possibly win division. hey so what warner is with cardinals., hes on his way out and plus hes a wuss so dont sweat him or any one else in division. show all these naysayers that u guys can get back up to the top where u belong!!!!!
  24. RAM IT
    78. Posted by RAM IT Tue Aug 11 6:48pm EDT

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    Why is that stupid for wanting Vick ,whats your point Big Blob, I think with a crap O line and Vick scrambling around making plays it could lead to more wins.
  25. Big Bob
    77. Posted by Big Bob Tue Aug 11 2:44pm EDT

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    Those of you who want Vick are just plain stupid. No other way to say it.
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