Bux game set-up: Thomas, Wagoner, Prisco/Kirwan, Sando, NFL Live, Mikasz, etc.

Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the NFL Week 2 matchup between the St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tough duty for the Rams going on the road to Tampa Bay. Kirwan says watch out for Gerald McCoy taking advantage of a Rams O-line that gave up 5 sacks. Robert Quinn had 3 sacks last year vs the Bucs. He’ll be facing Anthony Collins and Kirwan thinks with Long out, Quinn will be double teamed A LOT. Both Kirwan and Prisco pick the Bucs to win. (3:11)

http://www.rams-news.com/cbs-sports-rams-at-buccaneers-preview-video/

ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando delivers stats to help you make a pick for St. Louis at Tampa Bay. The Rams were the only team in the NFL not to score an offensive TD. The loss of Chris Long and the unsettled QB situation are a few of the things that lead both Sando and numberFire to pick the Bucs to win.

http://www.rams-news.com/espns-mike-sandos-inside-edge-rams-buccaneers-video/

Rams vs. Buccaneers: Contenders for No. 1 draft pick?
• By Jeff Gordon

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/rams-vs-buccaneers-contenders-for-no-draft-pick/article_574c5432-4444-55c3-be81-432ccf90540e.html

Jeff Gordon looks at the game between the St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa:

THE MATCH-UP

Two of the league’s worst teams square off in the worst game of the week. Both teams are eager to turn the page after losing their opener.

The loser of this game moves right into the race for the first overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

SCOUTING THE BUCCANEERS

Like the Rams, this team hopes to climb back to prominence with a stout defense. DT Gerald McCoy and linebacker OLB Lavonte David are two of the more disruptive defenders in the league.

Head coach Lovie Smith is one of the NFL’s better defensive minds. He uses a 4-3 alignment and aims to apply pressure with his base defense and prevent big plays with his “Cover-2” secondary scheme. Unlike Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, he will not dial up a high percentage of blitzes or throw exotic looks at quarterbacks.

The Buccaneers play a fairly simple scheme. The goal is to play it very well and force opponents to get their yardage in small chunks. It can be especially tough on unproven quarterbacks like Austin Davis of the Rams.

Offensively, Tampa Bay wants QB Josh McCown to manage games and RB Doug Martin to pound the ball. Jackson was quiet in Week 1, but he can create match-up trouble against smaller defensive backs — especially in the Red Zone. So can WR Mike Evans.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

Rams QB Shaun Hill didn’t play much during the preseason. Then he got hurt in the first half of his Rams debut. Then he didn’t run the offense this week during the heavy Wednesday and Thursday practices.

He could play in Tampa Bay, but all signs point toward former camp arm Austin Davis running the show. That will make it all the more important for the Rams to get their ground game in gear with RBs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham. They failed to do so in the opener, partially because untimely penalties kept them from sustaining drives.

After their disastrous defensive performance against the ground-oriented Vikings, they must eliminate all those blown tackles and missed assignments against the ground-oriented Buccaneers. DE Chris Long’s absence won’t make that any easier, although replacement DE William Hayes is a steady hand.

COACHSPEAK

Rams coach Jeff Fisher discussed Sunday’s matchup after practice sessions at Rams Park. Here were some highlights, as provided by the Rams staff:

On the importance of this game: “We’ve got a huge challenge. We’ve got a similar set of circumstances, although the Bucs made a comeback late and had a chance, nonetheless, both teams lot home openers. As coach (Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith) says down there, they’ve got a lot to improve on, as we do.”

On the Buccaneers offense: “They’re well coached up front, on the offensive line and in protection. They played an outstanding rushing defensive front in Carolina and they did fairly well. The passing game is complicated. He does a really nice job. Josh (McCown) is mobile. He can move around. He’s got outstanding targets outside. Both tight ends are very productive. The ‘rook’s’ (WR Mike Evans) coming on. He’s going to be a very good player.”

On big Tampa Bay WRs Vincent Jackson and Evans: “The height issues really take place down inside the plus territory or if you’re throwing go routes and things like that. They’re good with respect to run after catch and that sometimes can create some problems for you in the short passing game.”

On the need to get more from WR Tavon Austin: “We’re just trying to get the ball in his hands. He needs the ball in his hands in space. I don’t know if I mentioned this earlier in the week, but he was very, very close to going a long way on two punt returns. Secure the ball and take-off and trust your blockers. That’ll be another way that, obviously, we can get some production there.”

On Brian Quick’s breakout game: “I was encouraged. The questions that followed the Brian Quick question were, ‘What about (WR) Kenny Britt?’ and my response is, ‘Well if Quick’s got seven catches for 99 yards, the odds are the ball’s not going to anybody else.’ Especially considering we only had 11 drives. But, Brian came on. He made every catch. The only thing that he could improve was the facemask penalty. He’s learned from that. But, he was very productive. Made different types of catches, contested catches-the third down catch where we ended up fourth and one and a half was a good catch, it was a good concentration effort.”

INJURY REPORT

Long (ankle surgery) is on injured reserve. CB Trumaine Johnson (knee) and guard-center Barrett Jones (back) are out for the Rams. Hill (thigh) missed practice time, as did CB Lamarcus Joyner (back).

For Tampa Bay, starters Martin (knee), G Logan Mankins (knee) and DE Adrian Clayborn (elbow) were limited Thursday. Starting DE Michael Johnson (ankle) and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle) did not practice.

Rams-Buccaneers: Matchup breakdown
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11589/rams-buccaneers-matchup-breakdown

EARTH CITY, Mo. — A look at three matchups to keep an eye on when the St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet at 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday.

Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins versus Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson

With rookie E.J. Gaines starting on the opposite side of Jenkins, the Rams felt comfortable enough with Jenkins that they allowed him to spend much of the opener isolated one-on-one while sending extra help to Gaines’ side.

Jenkins had a solid first outing against the Vikings last week and has a history of faring better against bigger receivers. But Jackson has had his share of success against the Rams in the past two seasons and his combination of size and speed always makes for a difficult matchup. In those two meetings over the past two seasons, Jackson has posted 12 catches for 206 yards with no touchdowns.

The Rams have generally opted not to shadow receivers with a particular corner so Jenkins might not be matched up with Jackson at all times. With Gaines still adjusting to the league on the other side and Gaines’ previous success against Mike Evans in college, it would serve the Rams well to allow Jenkins to find himself opposite Jackson as much as possible.

Rams right guard Davin Joseph versus Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy

These two former teammates should see plenty of each other this week though McCoy has been known to move all over the line at various points during his time in the league. McCoy is one of the game’s best defensive tackles, an all around player equally adept at stopping the run as rushing the passer. McCoy picked up where he left off last year in the first week with a sack, a quarterback hit, a quarterback hurry and four tackles.

Joseph, meanwhile, is still hoping to regain the form that once made him one of the league’s more effective guards. He struggled against Minnesota last week, a common theme along the offensive line, but he figures to have a little added motivation against the team that released him this week. There’s no way the Rams will leave Joseph on his own to handle McCoy but on the occasions the pair do square off one-on-one, Joseph will have to be at his best to have any chance of preventing McCoy from completely wrecking the Rams’ game plan.

Rams defensive end Robert Quinn versus Buccaneers left tackle Anthony Collins

I promise not to lean on Quinn versu “Fill in the blank” every week for this feature but I’m going back to the well again this week because of what Quinn was able to do against Tampa Bay in 2013. In the season’s second to last week, Quinn thoroughly dominated Tampa left tackle Donald Penn with three sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and six tackles.

Not that Quinn was the sole reason the Bucs went looking for an upgrade at left tackle in the offseason but he certainly did his part to ensure they’d spend $30 million over five years to land Collins. Collins had a solid, if unspectacular debut, against Carolina, allowing a single quarterback hit but not offering much in the run game. He’ll get another tough test in Quinn this week though it stands to reason the Bucs will do plenty to help Collins out.

The Bucs spent plenty of time throwing extra blockers Quinn’s way last season and that will likely continue Sunday. Likewise, the Bucs will probably mix in plenty of short passes to help nullify the Rams’ pass rush like Minnesota did last week. That puts the onus on Quinn to get home and make plays when the rare chance to do so arises.

W2W4: St. Louis Rams
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11584/w2w4-st-louis-rams-6

EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off Week 2 on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET on regional Fox coverage.

Here are three things to watch for from the Rams’ end:

1. Rev the run: Everything the Rams want to do and who they want to be offensively stems from having a successful running game. Last week, the Rams struggled mightily on offense in no small part because the run game never got going. Minnesota loaded the box to slow down backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham and dared the Rams to throw the ball. The Rams mostly obliged the Minnesota Vikings but when they did run it, they averaged just 3.3 yards per carry on 22 attempts. Until the Rams show they can beat somebody by airing it out, it’s safe to assume defenses will continue to load up to stop the run. That shouldn’t stop the Rams from trying to run it, however. Stacy and the run game had success last season in a similar situation but it will require a better effort across the board, especially from the offensive line. Tampa Bay allowed 113 yards on the ground against Carolina last week but has a defense built to stop it. If the Rams can get the ground game in motion, they should be able to take shots in play action and move the ball more consistently and effectively regardless of who is getting the carries.

2. Short and simple: The Vikings didn’t do anything fancy to the Rams defense last week, sticking mostly to a game plan full of runs between the tackles and short, efficient passes. Both ploys worked to open things up on the perimeter for receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, and quarterback Matt Cassel had a solid outing without turning the ball over. Cassel averaged the fewest air yards per attempt of any quarterback in Week 1 at just 4.36 yards per pass. It didn’t lead to much in the way of fireworks but it served to protect the ball and keep the chains moving. More important, it helped negate the Rams’ vaunted pass rush as they had just one sack and that came off a botched snap exchange. Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown has big wideouts Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans at his disposal and has favored throwing the deep ball in the past, so it will be interesting to see if the Bucs adopt the Vikings’ blueprint. McCown and the passing game struggled to get anything going in the air against Carolina until late in the game but don’t be surprised if they take a page from Minnesota and at least mix in some underneath plays before taking their shots against the Rams’ secondary.

3. Under center: Rams coach Jeff Fisher has referred to veteran quarterback Shaun Hill as “day to day” all week because of a quad/thigh injury. Fisher has also maintained that if Hill is healthy enough to play, he will start. But Hill didn’t do much in practice this week with Austin Davis getting the bulk of the snaps with the first-team offense and Case Keenum getting a few himself. That would seem to indicate that Davis could be making his first NFL start against Tampa Bay. The Rams would need much more from Davis than they got last week, especially when it comes to recognizing pressure and getting rid of the ball. Of course, if the Rams can do the first thing on this list, that would go a long way toward helping whichever quarterback plays Sunday.

Rams can’t afford another clunker
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-can-t-afford-another-clunker/article_d675405d-df86-51e4-a4c5-bed26e945b76.html

One game does not define the Rams.

That was the message from coach Jeff Fisher after that abomination of a season-opener last weekend against Minnesota. And it quickly became the mantra inside the walls of Rams Park.

The response to that outside the walls?

It better not.

The team’s 34-6 loss to Minnesota, the worst beating of any NFL team in Week 1, was a tremendous buzz kill — wiping away in 3 hours 3 minutes at the Edward Jones Dome months worth of momentum and excitement.

The now all-too-familiar 24-hour rule went into effect. After 24 hours, it’s time to quit moping about the result and move on to the next challenge. In this case it’s Sunday’s 3:05 p.m. kickoff (St. Louis time) against Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium.

But for some, it was tough to digest what happened in just a day’s time.

“I’m all for the 24-hour rule and forgetting about it,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “But as a competitor, some of that still resonates in you. You never want to put that stuff on tape, especially with the expectations at home. The fans deserve better, quite frankly.”

On a personal level, defensive end William Hayes said: “I wasn’t really satisfied with the way I played. So (Minnesota)’s gonna stay on my mind until I play better.”

Hayes and the rest of the Rams gets another chance against a Tampa Bay team that lost its opener — also played at home — 20-14 to Carolina, which was playing with backup quarterback Derek Anderson in place of the injured Cam Newton.

Like the Rams, the Bucs didn’t get a takeaway on defense, had trouble getting the running game going and made too many mistakes on offense. And yes, like the Rams they are dealing with injuries that have depleted their ranks.

On defense alone, Tampa enters the game missing its two starting defensive ends and one of its top three corners.

“We’ve got a similar set of circumstances, although the Bucs made a comeback late and had a chance,” Fisher said. “Nonetheless, both teams lost home openers. As coach (Lovie Smith) says down there, they’ve got a lot to improve on, as we do.”

For the most part, the Rams looked unprepared and uncompetitive against Minnesota. But the areas that need improvement are clear-cut. Here’s a five-point plan for getting past the Buccaneers:

• Cut the penalties in half from Week 1.

• Cut the missed tackles by two-thirds.

• Hold the edge on defense.

• Get the run game going early on offense.

• Play more physical in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Pretty basic stuff, really.

“It definitely starts up front,” left tackle Jake Long said. “Everything works off the run game. So we’ve gotta get the run game going and that’ll open up the pass game, the play-action, all that stuff. We’ve gotta do better.”

And of course, it wouldn’t hurt if the Rams’ defense came up with a takeaway or two.

“We had our hands on five balls (against Minnesota), not that I would count,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said, smiling. “Three of them legitimately in both hands. So we’ve had a little bit of some chat and conversations about those kind of things.”

But to get that done, and truly put the Dome Debacle behind them, the Rams must do so without defensive end Chris Long — not only one of their best players but also one of their team leaders.

For example, it’s almost always Long who fires up the squad standing in the middle of the team huddle at the end of pregame preparations.

“Chris is a great spirit here and one of our defensive captains,” Williams said. “It’s just one of those things you go through. Next man up.”

One of the league’s top pass rushers in recent years, Long is expected to be sidelined at least eight weeks after undergoing ankle surgery Thursday. The very capable Hayes will replace him in the starting lineup with help from Eugene Sims and perhaps rookie Ethan Westbrooks over the next two months.

“Chris will be back,” Williams said. “He’ll be involved. I tease him a little bit about now he’ll get a chance to do some of the things I’m doing. I’m going to keep him involved coaching.”

On the other side of the ball it looks very much like Austin Davis — the team’s fourth string quarterback less than a month ago — will get his first NFL regular-season start. In a case of “next man up” followed by another “next man up,” he could replace veteran Shaun Hill (thigh) who replaced Sam Bradford (knee).

Not that he has a choice, but Fisher says he’s OK with the possibility of going with Davis against Smith’s patented Tampa 2 defense.

“He’s excited for the opportunity if it happens,” Fisher said.

As for Davis, he sounds confident about what he can do if he gets the call.

“There’s not a play call that I don’t know exactly what the read is, and exactly where the ball’s supposed to go,” he said. “It’s really just getting game experience. It was great last week to just get in and play ball (against Minnesota). But I feel very, very comfortable with what we’re doing.”

This one has the feel of the Minnesota game, at least before the Rams imploded in the second half. In other words, one of those 17-13, 20-17 close-to-the-vest, low-scoring contests. So the fewer mistakes by Davis — if it’s indeed him at quarterback — the better for the Rams.

With that in mind, the Rams could go conservative on offense, as was the case in the first half against the Vikings.

As has been his M.O. since coming to St. Louis in 2012, Fisher did a good job of getting the team back. There’s nothing the Rams can do now about Minnesota, and with that in mind practices were crisp and morale was good during the work week.

“I complimented them just a few minutes ago,” Fisher told the media after Wednesday’s practice. “They practiced like they’re 1-0 — and that’s what you need.”

Trouble is, they’re not 1-0.

And the last thing those at Rams Park want to hear Fisher tell the team after Sunday’s contest in Tampa Bay is “two games do not define this team.”

Team Insider Myles Simmons sat down with Head Coach Jeff Fisher to discuss this week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with reviewing what went wrong vs. the Vikings. Includes film clips from the Vikings game. (4:00)

http://www.rams-news.com/fisher-up-front-rams-at-buccaneers-video-2/