Rams notebook: McDonald's big game falls short of NFC recognition/PD

Rams notebook: McDonald’s big game falls short of NFC recognition
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notebook-mcdonald-s-big-game-falls-short-of-nfc/article_b46cdd31-d95e-5142-babb-9096b7126f77.html

Rams coach Jeff Fisher is not sure what more T.J. McDonald can do.

Despite blocking a punt and a field goal in the Rams’ 19-17 win over the Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday, McDonald was beaten out by Arizona’s Ted Ginn Jr. for NFC special teams player of the week.

“They were huge plays,’’ the coach said. “In a two-point game, to block a field goal and a punt and be the same person who did it. I would think you would get a little bit of consideration for (the award). Apparently, those people that voted must have thought we had a bye week last week or something. I don’t know what’s going on.

“Again, Ted Ginn’s a really good player and I have nothing against Ted, but I thought maybe (T.J.) would’ve got some consideration.’’

McDonald, a second-year safety from USC, did a little of everything Sunday. In addition to finishing as team co-leader in tackles (nine) and adding a quarterback pressure, he blocked a punt that led to a field goal that helped the Rams take a 10-7 lead to the half and later blocked a field goal on the opening play of the fourth quarter.

Then, on the game’s final play, he delivered a big hit on Bucs rookie Mike Evans that forced a 10-second runoff to secure the Rams’ first win of 2014.

Ginn returned a punt 71 yards early in the final quarter to help the Cardinals overtake the Giants and win 25-14 Sunday. Ginn has won the award three times — with three different teams.

“It’s not frustrating to me at all because we got the win and that’s all the matters,’’ McDonald said after helping the Rams block a punt and field goal in the same game for the first time since 1979. “I went out there and made plays and helped our team win.’’

McDonald’s blocks came on similar-looking plays. From the left side, he cut inside the last Tampa Bay blocker to make the plays — with a little help from defensive end William Hayes.

“It’s something we work on in practice. It’s just a matter of getting an opportunity and taking advantage,’’ McDonald said. “On the first one, I got there easier than I expected, so I told Will that if you can grab that guy’s arm, I’d be able to get in there again.

“He grabbed it and I was able to get through the gap.’’

McDonald, 23, sees special teams as a continuation of his defensive responsibilities.

“I’m a defensive player and I treat (special teams) as defensive snaps,’’ he said. “I work my butt off on defense to get to fourth down, so I might as well finish it.’’

On the game’s final play, Evans made a leaping catch on a 29-yard pass from Josh McCown that put Tampa Bay into field goal range at the Rams’ 32.

But McDonald’s hit left Evans unable to continue and, because the Bucs had already used their three timeouts, the officials applied the mandatory 10-second runoff to end the game.

“It was a big hit. It kind of boggled me a little bit,’’ Evans told the Tampa Bay Times.

“I heard him on the ground. He was making some noises, so I knew it wasn’t good (for him),’’ McDonald said. “He was exchanging words with a lot of guys on the defense, so it was a good feeling to end the game like that. Not to hurt him, but to end the game with a big play.’’

TOUGH CALL ON DUNBAR

A very questionable roughing-the-passer call on Rams linebacker Jo-Lon Dunbar in the fourth quarter turned a fourth-and-5 from the Tampa 23 into a first down and led to the Bucs taking a 17-16 lead with just over 5 minutes to play.

“It’s frustrating … and my pockets might feel the brunt of it,’’ the seventh-year pro said. “I thought I pretty much did it the way you’re supposed to. I hit him in the shoulder.’’Fisher said he understood the call but didn’t necessarily agree with it.

“The referee’s responsibility, as soon as anybody gets near the quarterback, is to come off the tackle … and go to the quarterback,’’ Fisher said. “The issue is that the quarterback is between him and the contact, so he can’t see it. So the assumption is that the contact was high — in the helmet, head (or) neck area — so he threw the flag.’’

Last year, when McCown was with the Bears, the Rams’ Michael Brockers was flagged for a similarly questionable roughing-the-passer call. Brockers was not fined.

INJURY REPORT

Sitting out practice Wednesday were receiver Tavon Austin (knee), tight end Cory Harkey (knee) and center Scott Wells (not injury related). Center Barrett Jones (back) and cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee) are not expected to practice for at least a couple of more weeks.

Quarterback Shaun Hill (thigh) and defensive back Brandon McGee (foot) were limited during Wednesday’s practice.

For Dallas, six players sat out Wednesday’s workout. They were quarterback Tony Romo (back), receiver Dez Bryant (shoulder), linebacker Rolando McClain (groin), linebacker Justin Durant (groin), running back Joseph Randle (concussion) and defensive tackle Davon Coleman (knee).

Defensive end Antonio Spencer (knee), defensive tackle Ken Bishop (illness) and tight end Gavin Escobar were limited while defensive end Lavar Edwards (knee) and guard Zack Martin (foot) were full participants in Wednesday’s workout.

RAM-BLING

As expected, the Rams signed defensive tackle Matt Conrath to the practice squad. A third-year pro from Virginia, Conrath was waived on Monday to create a spot on the roster for receiver Stedman Bailey.