Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher– Post Practice – September 18, 2014

(On what he could learn from last year’s game against the Cowboys in trying to defend their run game)
“Well, I think it will be more of a challenge this year. I think their offensive line is experienced. They’re playing really well together. We had some run fit issues that we have to take care of. We’ve had some matchup problems that we didn’t handle. So, we’ve had plenty of time. Obviously we’ve looked at some things through the offseason. Still as I mentioned yesterday, they rushed for 118 yards against the 49ers and that’s hard to do. So, we’re going to have be in the right place and guys are going to have to make plays.”

(On what makes Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray so successful)
“Well they’ll have an inside trap called in the a-gap and he’ll bounce it outside and just take it down the sideline. He’s going to pop it out any place. Those are the kind of things that are hard. So you read and react and everything and he’s not there, he’s someplace else.”

(On if he can rephrase his last answer in layman’s terms)
“Come on you know what I’m talking about (laughs). He can break the ball out any place. He’s a good cutback runner. He’s got great vision. He carries the ball in the both hands, I’m simplifying it for you now (jokes).”

(On Murray’s size and strength)
“He’s strong, he breaks tackles. One of the things that happens in every game is he’ll bounce outside and people underestimate his speed and he’ll get the corner. That becomes the problem. So we have to be edge proficient, if you will.”

(On if Cowboys QB Tony Romo’s back is still bothering him)
“He’s making throws. He’s making a lot of throws. I would not attribute the interceptions to his back against the 49ers, they just happened. He’s making good decisions. He’s still making all the throws. There’s been some criticism that he’s not taking the ball down the field. He can still do it. He had a big play last week against Tennessee.”

(On Cowboys WR Dez Bryant’s shoulder injury last week)
“He comes back in the game and plays well. It’s a tough matchup for us. He’s physical. He’s got the run after catch skills. He’s got a big catch radius. He’s their go to guy down there. Once you get inside the plus territory, he’s the guy that catches the ball. He’s their touchdown maker.”

(On if Cowboys TE Jason Witten has slowed down at all)
“Has not lost a step. So, it’s a good football team.”

(On if the starting quarterback decision is still a day-to-day game)
“Yes. Shaun (Hill) was limited today, he did more. But we’re still day-to-day. It will most likely be a pregame decision like it was last week.”

(On if QB Austin Davis will be challenged if he starts this Sunday because teams have a full game tape on him)
“No, I think we really didn’t change the offense. That’s the question that’s frequently asked. Were we going to change it when we went to Shaun? No. Were we going to change it when we to Austin? No. It’s our offense. That’d be unfair to the rest of the players. We’ve not changed the offense people prepared for us. On a weekly basis, you have different things that you put in or you got to based on the specific game plan. I don’t think just because they got a full regular season on tape that it’s going to make a difference.”

(On the Dallas defense)
“They’ve had some injuries up front. They’re starting to get some people healthy. We don’t know the status of the middle linebacker (Rolando McClain), but he’s played well the last two weeks. They’ll get (CB Orlando) Scandrick back, which is certainly going to help them. It’s a good defense. It’s a good scheme. It’s a sound scheme. You have to be patient. You have to mix your run and your play action to try and make plays on them.”

(On WR Stedman Bailey’s performance)
“’Sted’ was great. Just same as he was yesterday, he was good.”

(On if he was impressed with the poise of Davis’ appearance at a fan event went last Monday)
“I was there…It wasn’t the same place but we didn’t overlap.”

Rams Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer – September 18, 2014

(On QB Austin Davis and his performance against Tampa Bay)
“Really wasn’t surprised. He had a real good week of practice. I think obviously, you get thrown into a game the week before certainly you kind of go into a little bit of a panic mode. But having a week to prepare having been here for three years I thought he did a really good job. Love the way he made plays in the clutch, it wasn’t perfect but again he moved the team. Got us in and out of the right plays and made some big time throws down the clutch to help us win the game.”

(On if Davis still has room for improvement)
“Absolutely. There are things that we’d like to have back from the game, a few throws here and there , a few decisions. Played really, really well and like I said I’m not surprised. Very pleased with what he did, but not surprised.”

(On how Davis in terms of being in the pocket and having his eyes down the field to make plays in high pressure moments)
“He’s always been real athletic. That’s one of the first things we really liked about him. He was real athletic going back to his first year as a rookie coming out of Southern Miss. I think him working with (Quarterbacks Coach Frank) Coach Cignetti on some of the pocket movement stuff certainly helps. But really the only way to do it is to get out there and play. Certainly by going against our defense in practice when he was running the scout team stuff, you get a lot of work on that because obviously they are very good at rushing the passer. It’s something he’s worked on. The hardest part of doing that is not the movement part, he’s got those skills, it’s keeping your eyes up and kind of seeing where your receivers are going. ”

(On if Davis running out of the pocket too early was a point of emphasis to work on when he returned to the team)
“I think so. There were a lot of things for him to improve, still are. Again he’s got to put another good game together this week. He’s not going to be satisfied, we’re not going to be satisfied with just one goodgame. That was something again when he came back he had a plan. He came back in great shape. He really worked hard this offseason, spent some time doing some stuff on his own. He came back ready to play and ready to compete. ”

(On if Davis is the same guy this week now that he has fame and fortune)
“I don’t know how much fortune he has. He is, he’s just a great guy. I tell you what, his leadership ability that’s not easy. You come from being a third string quarterback, you step in the huddle with some strong personalities and he’s handled it terrific. The guys respect him and again I think that’s a big part of what we’re trying to build is a next man up type of deal. He certainly did that and hopefully he’ll do it again this week. ”

(On what his biggest concern was going into last week and if there were any unforeseen aspects that worried him)
“From him? No, I don’t think so. Again, he had a real good preseason. I was very comfortable calling plays for him in the preseason. Man, that’s a big thing for a play caller. When the quarterback’s in there, if you trust him and you know he’ll do right by you and make good decisions that certainly helps. He proved that to me in the preseason. I was very comfortable. Again, third-and-one call we make I trust him to make the play. He makes a big play to (TE) Lance (Kendricks) for a big gain. And if there’s a bigger throw last weekend than the one he made to ‘AP’ (WR Austin Pettis) standing in there under duress on kind of a game winner if you will, that was a big time throw. Again, you see it out here in practice that makes it easy for a play caller, staff, even the players in the huddle to believe in him. ”

(On if he is definitely expecting Davis to start Sunday)
“No, Shaun’s (Hill) doing a little bit more today. He’s getting better, again we’re going to look at it game time and see what happens, but I think Austin’s ready to go. We’ll see how Shaun does tomorrow, each day he’s getting better so we’ll see.”

(On if there need to be improvements in the run game specifically in yards per carry)
“Yeah, absolutely. Again, we know we’ll get heavy boxes and people trying to stop the run. We need to create some explosive runs. We get guys in the secondary creating seams, they got to be able to take advantage of that. But it’s a process, I hope we get better this week, need to be better this week. That certainly takes pressure off of us by getting in second-down and manageable, third-down and manageable. But we go well when we’re balanced and we run the football. When teams take that away from us we tend to struggle a little bit, so hopefully we’ll like always try to get the running game going and generate a few more explosive plays. ”

(On if his formula is 50 carries plus completions)
“Fifty completions and rushing attempts.”

(On how the pass block was against Tampa Bay)
“Very good. Yeah, that was a good group. They lost a few of their guys but again they did some good stuff. That front four obviously very talented. I thought we did a nice job all the way around. Again, Austin did a nice job of not holding on to the ball, that’s a big part of it. I think the week before when he got thrown in the mix he kind of held the ball a little bit long kind of looking for his receivers. Certainly the timing was better having a week of preparation but the pass-pro was solid.”

(On if the Cowboys have a cover 2 look)
“No, it’s really not. I mean they go by that name but we’re going to get post-safety. They’re going to get up in our face and press us play tight man-to-man. Their a post-safety defense. Two good safeties again getting (S Orlando) Scandrick back certainly helps, we’ll see what they do with him. Front four they play as hard as anybody. They do a good job of movement and stuff like that, so it’ll be a terrific challenge. They got after us pretty good last year down in Dallas. But the ‘Tampa Two’ nickname is just a nickname. They’re going to be post-safety, kind of down in our face challenging us, bringing a lot of pressure and stuff like that.”

(On how he handles public opinion and their need to suggest team decisions)
“Quite honestly I don’t listen too much on what the public has to say to be honest with you. Certainly Iunderstand they all have opinions, but we go by what we see. We go by what we believe. We have a philosophy. You win a game, you lose a game, you move on to the next game. You prepare the best you can. We try to put together good game plans and then go out and trust our players. Again, when I said the big thing for us is, I expect Austin to do this is I think he’ll go out and play well. But it’s certainly not just Austin that’s going to have to go and help us when this game it’s going to be the whole team. Offensively, again running the football, guys making plays and that’s what it’s going to come down to. ”

Rams Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel – September 18, 2014

(On his evaluation of the special teams unit through two games)
“Two games in, I’d probably reserve judgment on success or the lack off. We’re playing hard. We’ve rotated some new bodies in there, which is always good to get some new blood. Yeah, it’s still to be determined.”

(On if he was surprised with SS T.J. McDonald’s performance last week)
“No, I’m not surprised at all. I’m actually, I was surprised last year that he just missed on a couple of them, which are almost the same exact thing. He does it in practice and sure enough he did it in the game.”

(On the translation of McDonald’s skill set to his ability to block kicks)
“Really it’s an instinctive thing. He’s got great length. He’s got a great ability to bend and turn. And he’s got good timing like on the field goal block, a lot of that has to do with timing. It’s an instinctive thing that I can’t really coach him, he just kind of has that ability.”

(On the return game so far)
“Definitely room for improvement. On kickoff return, the first game we had one return and it was decent, it got to the 20 (-yard line) I think. Then the two, we had on kickoff return in Tampa the guy (Buccaneers K Patrick Murray) hit into the short left corner. We kind of got stuck, it’s a hard ball to dig out of the corner. It was a mishit kick. The return we had called was a tough one to dig out of the corner. There’s obviously room for improvement. But with three returns and two of them off of mishit kickoffs, we’ll judge it a little later when we get some true balls. Then on punt return, it’s unfortunate because I think we’ve got a really good punt return team. Two balls we muffed in the first game. In this past game it was a good hang time ball and there wasn’t a lot of space. We’ll continue to get better. It takes the right ball to get the right return. We’re being patient.”

(On the possibility of replacing WR Tavon Austin on punt return this week)
“It’s still, I guess, wait and see. We’ve got a couple options, which is good. We’re fortunate that we have a couple guys that can catch punts. They have a lefty this week, so that adds a little element to it. We’ll be alright. The guys we have back there, they’ll do a good job catching it. Hopefully the blockers can get us some more yards.”

(On if it was a confidence booster for K Greg Zuerlein going four-for-four in field goals)
“It was great. The preseason, we experiment with things in the preseason. Whether it’s people think he’s lost confidence, we were experimenting with different things. He missed the first kick against Minnesota. He hit a great ball he just hit it straight left. So, I wasn’t surprised. He’s got great confidence. He’s got great ball striking right now. I imagine he’ll continue with that.”

(On Dallas’ punt rushing ability)
“They rush a lot. They got a couple of really good players. (WR/KR/PR) Dwayne Harris not only returning punts and kickoffs but covering punts and kickoffs. He’s a high quality core teams guy. (S) C.J. Spillman, came from San Francisco, so we know him from the past couple of years. They got a second year DB (No.) 38 (S Jeff Heath) who’s a good ball player. They’re a fast team, probably faster than we’ve played so far and some veteran guys. It’ll be a good test.”

(On if he talks to Zuerlein before the timeouts are called)
“No, but we practice it all the time. I’ll let him kick and then we’ll be in a situation and sometimes I’ll call the timeout to ice him. Sometimes I’ll act like I’m going to call it and not call it. We practice situations in our field goal period. His assumption every time he lines up is that the ball is going to be snapped and I’m going to kick it. Even if they call a time out and we snap, but we’re still going to kick it.”

(On the field conditions in Tampa Bay after the lightning delay)
“They were tough. Especially you could see on Greg’s kickoffs and their kicker, he hit two bad balls into that left corner and Greg had those same issues, he just didn’t get the ball in the air. That’s why it was even more impressive with his field goals, because they were all in the high-30s to high-40 range. In those tough conditions we can’t back out. The field was in good shape it was just pretty slick.”

(On if it was the plan to kick the line drives)
“No, we never try and really kick a line drive. None of those were intentional. It just had a lot to with the field surface. Greg struggled with that and their kicker struggled with it on the kickoffs.”

(On if the strategy is to always kick a touchback)
“I’d say for the most part. There are some other strategies where we have different kicks. We would never hit a purposeful hot squib. That’s kind of what happened. We stay away from that one. For the most part, yeah, you’re trying to bang it.”

McLeod proving doubters wrong as one of Rams’ McSafeties
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/mcleod-proving-doubters-wrong-as-one-of-rams-mcsafeties/article_8d826777-9423-58d1-ba9c-35fc8da06b4c.html

That little shimmy by free safety Rodney McLeod after his second-quarter interception was no impromptu celebration.

“It’s just a little dance that me and T.J. (McDonald) put together right before the game,” he said.

Apparently, it’s part of the weekly pregame ritual for the Rams’ McSafeties. It’s all about being prepared for success.

“If we make plays, this is what we’re gonna do today,” McLeod explained. “It’s just something that we’ve got going on.”

McLeod told McDonald before Sunday’s 19-17 victory over Tampa Bay that he was going to get an interception.

Hard to explain but he just had that feeling.

“I thought if we got good pressure on (Josh) McCown, he’d most likely to throw one up,” McLeod said.

McCown, the Tampa Bay quarterback, did just that early in the second quarter of a 7-7 game. The Bucs were knocking on the door with a first-and-goal from the St. Louis 9.

But linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar flushed McCown out of the pocket on a blitz, and then linebacker James Laurinaitis came bearing down on McCown. Instead of taking the sack, or throwing the ball away, McCown threw it up for grabs in the general direction of wide receiver Vincent Jackson.

There was just one problem with that decision: Jackson was being double-covered, with cornerback Janoris Jenkins behind him and McLeod in front.

“He did a crossing route,” McLeod said. “Basically I just read the quarterback. He made a bad decision and James got good pressure on him.”

It wasn’t an easy interception. The ball was thrown low and away, and McLeod lunged to keep it off the ground.

“Gotta give credit to the hands, the gloves. Fresh gloves,” McLeod said, laughing.

McLeod wears a new set of gloves each week on game day.

“That was a big point (in the game),” McDonald said of his teammate’s play. “They were close to scoring, we don’t give up any points. We give the ball back to our offense, get a lot of juice, a little momentum going.”

It marked the first interception, and only takeaway, for the Rams this season. Without McLeod’s INT, the third of his three-year NFL career, the outcome might’ve been different. Even if Tampa had to settle for a field goal, that might have been enough in what turned out to be a two-point game.

McLeod joined the Rams in 2012, the first year of the Jeff Fisher-Les Snead regime, as an undrafted rookie out of Virginia. He led the Rams in special teams tackles that year (16), then took advantage of preseason injuries to Darian Stewart to earn a job at safety in 2013. He started all 16 games, recording 87 tackles and two interceptions.

Even so, the general consensus this past offseason was that the Rams needed to upgrade the position, find a free safety with more range.

Granted, it’s just two games into the season, but McLeod is proving doubters wrong. He has shown improved range and has taken quickly to defensive coordinator Greg Williams’ system.

“I think it just comes with experience, and the coaching we get from OTAs to training camp with Gregg coming in, and Chuck (Cecil), and all those guys just getting us right,” McLeod said.

Cecil is the Rams’ secondary coach.

Even before the start of the regular season, Williams has been impressed with McLeod.

“Rodney has just been one of the most pleasant surprises for me — his instincts on playing the free safety position,” Williams told the Post-Dispatch in a late-August interview.

“Chuck Cecil did a good job talking to me about him when I first got here. Chuck was very high on him and wanted me to make sure that I was patient with the evaluation process on him. I think Rodney does a phenomenal job on picking up the nuances of how we want our safeties to play.”

Williams continued: “The free safety and the middle linebacker have to be a direct extension of the play-caller and what we do. He’s sharp intellectually. He’s sharp in big-picture understanding of the game.”

An added bonus is that McLeod has become a more aggressive tackler this season than he showed previously, whether it be in coverage or in run support.

“I just think it’s the mentality that Gregg instilled in us from Day 1,” McLeod. “You know the mentality that he has.”

Yeah, if you’re coming in this neighborhood, you’re going to have to pay a toll.

“There’s been nothing but good stuff going on from Day 1 in this system,” McLeod said.

It’s a system not too different from the scheme run in 2012, when Williams was serving his one-year “Bountygate” suspension and his son Blake was de facto defensive coordinator.

Now in their second season starting together, McLeod and strong safety McDonald are developing a good rapport on the field.

They complement each other well, with McLeod usually playing deep in coverage, and McDonald frequently playing near the line of scrimmage, or blitzing, or covering tight ends.

“With T.J., what I don’t have, he has,” McLeod said. “We just work well together. It just works out.”

Fisher likes the way things are working out so far.

“Both the safeties have played very well the last two weeks,” Fisher said. “Now, we missed some tackles, but everybody’s going to miss tackles. … But I think considering where we were last year, they’ve come a long, long way. I’m happy for them.”

RAM-BLING

Linebacker Kevin Reddick has been released from the team’s practice squad. Defensive lineman Matt Conrath is expected to take his place.

RamView, September 7, 2014
From Row HH
(Report and opinions from the game.)
Game #1: Vikings 34, Rams 6

We waited nine months. We waited through 12 other teams’ playoff runs, through a division rival’s Super Bowl win. We waited through all-star games and the Combine. Through free agency and the draft. We waited through OTAs and training camp and preseason games for this week to come. Nine months we waited. And we got garbage. Absolute. Garbage. This sure wasn’t a fun season while it didn’t last.

Position by position:
* QB: The Rams don’t need Sam Bradford to be successful this season, or so we heard. Shaun Hill’s better than Kellen Clemens, more accurate, won’t make stupid throws. I actually pushed that last argument myself. Took one week for it to push back. Hill (8-13-81, PR 47.3) was all right most of the first half. He started 5-for-5 and hit Brian Quick (!) on a couple of intermediate routes, so his game wasn’t just a bunch of checkdowns. He had drives killed by penalties, receiver mistakes and deteriorating line play. The end of the opening drive looked like Hill’s fault for failing to detect a fairly easy-to-identify blitz. He ultimately failed in his assignment right before halftime with a game-changing mistake. Hill rolled out under pressure and tried to hit Jared Cook on the sideline, but Cook was double-covered, and the only wise throw in that direction would have been a throwaway. Maybe that’s what Hill was trying, but his throw was snagged by Josh Robinson for an INT and shortly turned into a 13-0 hammerlock on the game for the Vikings. Hill gave way at halftime due to a quad injury, so, yes, the Rams’ franchise QB couldn’t make it to the regular season, and his backup couldn’t even make it to halftime of the first game. In the 2nd half, the offensive line gave way on Austin Davis (16-23-192, PR 76.7), who must have had a hard time telling this game from a preseason game. Davis threaded an early pass over Cook’s shoulder for 26, but got sacked later, also failing to recognize a blitz, to make the Rams settle for a long FG. That was the tale of the game for Davis, who struggled to find open receivers and, lacking enough time to throw, was sacked four times and had other drives end on dumpoffs because that was all he could find. He led the Rams to a 2nd FG, but not before Minnesota hit him for a pick-six, with Harrison Smith stepping in front of a route Cook didn’t look real interested in running out to peg the Rams’ embarrassment meter at 11. Failing to identify blitzes pre-snap, only throwing one legitimate deep ball, forcing throws, poor decisions under pressure, Davis’ slowness reading the field – quarterbacking may not be the biggest of the Rams’ problems, but it’s a problem.

* RB: The Ram passing game doesn’t stretch the field vertically; the running game doesn’t stretch the field horizontally. Zac Stacy (11-43) had a couple of decent runs and showed more cutback ability than usual, but didn’t look like his usual tackle-breaking, pile-moving self, and, per usual, didn’t get much room to run up the middle anyway. He also dropped an open screen pass on what looked like a pivotal play early in the game. Benny Cunningham (5-21) was an effective change of pace when he first entered the game in the 2nd, getting 14 yards on 3 carries, but the Rams made sure to get away from that. Cunningham added 4 catches for 30 yards, mainly during trash time, when he was next heard from. Might as well talk about Tavon Austin (3-5 rush, 3-34 recv) here, since the Rams apparently think he is also a between-the-tackles running back now. I saw it in training camp, but didn’t truly appreciate the lunacy of having the tiny Austin run up the middle until I saw guys twice his size landing on him this week. And though Austin has some moves as an interior runner, the real lunacy is the Rams’ continued refusal to get the ball to him while he’s on the move. More on that later. The Rams are supposed to be a running team, but between their inability to block for it and their inability to call a coherent game plan for it, they ran nowhere this week.

* WR: First of all, hooray for Brian Quick (7-99), who had easily the best game of his pro career. Quick hit the Vikings for 22- and 19-yard crossing routes during the Rams’ first two drives. Simple routes against soft zone coverage, but Quick ran the routes well and played the ball like a go-to receiver. He made a couple of significant errors that we’ll hope are growing pains. He nullified one of his own big plays in the 2nd with what looked like an accidental grab of a facemask while putting out a stiffarm, and the Rams settled for a FG in the 1st when he ran a comeback route about a step short on 3rd down. Quick’s one of about three Rams who didn’t completely embarrass themselves this week; this was a good game for a not-finished product. I’ll guess I’m breaking news here that Kenny Britt (0-0) has already thrown 2 or 3 tantrums on the Ram sideline. I spotted him yelling at coaches a couple of times. There was also a third down where he was wide open deep, but Davis never had a chance of seeing him; send in the punt team while Britt rips his helmet off and fumes his way to the sideline. With everything else the Rams have going wrong, a Britt meltdown is close to the last thing they need, but I think I’ve gotta sound a yellow alert there. I don’t think Chris Givens (2-30) really did anything until garbage time. Quick was basically the only WR this week.

* Tight ends: Jared Cook’s (4-56) 2014 opener was much like a lot of his 2013 season. He was MIA until garbage time, where he could flash enough to look useful while still making a play that made him look useless. His over-the-shoulder catch for 26 from Davis, with a man draped all over him, was as nice a catch as you’re going to see. But Cook was no help to Davis in the 4th on Harrison Smith’s pick-six. Nothing wrong with Davis’ throw; Cook didn’t come strong out of his break (a known habit of his), allowing Smith to jump the throw. Davis put the ball where Cook should have been. Lance Kendricks (2-12) and Corey Harkey (1-4) weren’t significant factors other than a handful of decent run blocks.

* Offensive line: Offensive line was the Rams’ biggest worry throughout training camp. Even rank amateurs like me knew it. And this week they were all-but dominated by a Minnesota defensive line that no one really believed was all that good coming in. Rank amateurs pointed out last week that Scott Wells vs. Linval Joseph would be a decisive matchup. And Wells lost it decisively. Linval didn’t spend the game in the Rams’ backfield, but Wells could never budge him, either, leaving the Rams’ middle running lanes clogged. Wells was beaten by a quick swim move for a sack in the 4th, with Linval taking down Davis while Wells appeared to wander around lost. Wells also sprayed shotgun snaps around like Rick Ankiel throwing batting practice. How many years has this guy been in the league again? The Rams benched the #2 pick in the draft so they could start the esteemed Davin Joseph at RG. We can’t have Greg Robinson out there, you know, because he might get consistently beat in pass protection, get Hill hit and presumably injured on a sack/fumble before halftime or get manhandled so badly on a sweep to Austin in the 2nd that he practically made the tackle himself. And, news flash, Rodger Saffold got hurt! The guards were poor in pass protection and had a handful of good run blocks between them. They did each have a false start, though. Things went no better on the edges. Joseph Barksdale gave up at least a half-dozen pressures, including one that panicked Hill into his bad INT before halftime. The cherry on this Hall of Shame performance was Everson Griffen beating Jake Long for sacks on back-to-back plays in the 4th. Long may not have wrecked a QB’s season this week, but he and Barksdale got beat to their outside shoulder frequently, and the Rams’ pass protection looked more like a funnel designed to divert all the traffic to the QB. There’s a lot invested in this offensive line that just lost soundly at the line of scrimmage to the #31 defense from last year, minus Jared Allen, at that. They’ll be a lot better off when they’ve had enough snaps together to gel, we’re told. Of course, if they’re all rubbish like they were this week, what’s that supposed to gel into?

* Defensive line: The Ram defensive line has be dominant to win the team games, and though they contained Adrian Peterson (21-75) well enough, they were nowhere near dominant, thanks to quick passing and to flanker Cordarrelle Patterson (3-102) jet-sweeping them to death. They didn’t start well – Chris Long got pinned inside by the tight end to trigger a 13-yard Patterson run, and Robert Quinn kept the opening drive alive with a dubious roughing penalty, but the secondary shut the drive down late to force a FG. Long got pinned inside again when Peterson started the next drive with a 17-yard run, but Quinn got a hit on Matt Cassel later to force a bad throw and stall out the drive. Cassel, though, by getting the ball out quickly all game, turned Sack City into more of a sleepy bedroom community. His quick throws led Minnesota to a FG in the 2nd, helped by a 23-yard Patterson sweep that William Hayes started with a missed tackle. The only Rams sack was created by a wild shotgun snap just before halftime. Unfortunately, Hill followed that with an interception, and the Vikings made the Rams’ aggression work against them with quick short passes and play-action to move out to a 13-point halftime lead. Long continued to struggle to get off blocks in the running game in the 3rd until a teammate stepped on his ankle, ending his day. Then Patterson stuck a 67-yard TD dagger in them. Hayes and others were blocked at the point of attack to turn Patterson loose. Quinn chased him for 40 yards only to blow a tackle. Michael Brockers chased him for 60 yards only to blow a tackle. A for effort. F for results. With Minnesota sitting on a big lead in the 4th, Aaron Donald started flashing the speed that got him drafted, flashing into the backfield three different times to bust up handoffs to Peterson. A stupid special teams penalty gave the Vikings the ball back, though, and they again foiled Ram aggression with a dumpoff to the backup TE that sealed their 3rd TD and turned a game that was toast into burned toast. It’s not a good sign that it took the league exactly one week to figure out how to escape from Sack City. Get the ball out quickly, let Gregg Williams blitz the D out of plays, run right at Long and Hayes and the rookie corner. Sack City’s going to have to find a way to get the streets back open quickly.

* Linebackers: LB play was also a letdown. Peterson took off for 17 to start Minnesota’s 2nd drive thanks to Alec Ogletree’s poor fill and James Laurinaitis getting blocked well before he could get into the play. Patterson jetted off for 23 the next drive with the help of whiffs by Laurinaitis and Jo-Lonn Dunbar. 1st-and-20 in the 3rd, AP takes off for 15 as Laurinaitis again can’t get off a block and Ogletree can’t get enough of a drop back from his initial blitzing position on the line. On Patterson’s TD run, Ogletree was blocked easily by Kyle Rudolph and Dunbar failed attempting to grab him at midfield. Dunbar was in on several stuffs of Peterson, but other than that, the LB corps just wasn’t effective. Ogletree got a gift half-sack, split with Dunbar, for falling on Cassel after the QB fell on a loose ball, but he wasn’t effective as a blitzer. The secondary had more impact in run defense than the LBs did. That’s partly a scheme that maybe should have held Ogletree back a little more, but it’s also some bad tackling and inability to get off blocks. Discouraging.

* Secondary: The secondary had a couple of standouts in run defense and a sore thumb. T.J. McDonald was effective on run blitzes, stuffing AP for a big loss on the opening drive and stuffing a draw at the end of the drive to force a FG. Janoris Jenkins in run support was a rare pleasant surprise for the Rams. He made six tackles, one being a nice open-field stop on AP bouncing a run outside dangerously in the 3rd. Rookie E.J. Gaines was a big problem on all three of Patterson’s big runs, though, well-blocked out of all three plays when he was supposed to be the main corner providing support. Gaines was far from the only problem on Patterson runs, though, especially the TD, where McDonald got pancaked on the edge, Rodney McLeod blew a diving tackle and Jenkins got woefully turned inside out about 50 yards downfield. Gaines also bit on play-action to give up the 1st TD to Greg Jennings. A lot of passes completed in front of his coverage ten yards off the line, too, though he also nearly had a pick-six early. McDonald made an acrobatic play to break up a pass for Kyle Rudolph, and Jenkins blanketed Patterson on a rare Viking deep route in the 2nd. Take away the Patterson runs and the secondary, though not tested much, had a decent game.

* Special teams: Like most every other unit, not a lot to like on special teams. Austin looked like a basket case returning punts, muffing two and running around like a chicken with his head cut off for a big loss on another. Greg Zuerlein did all the Rams’ scoring with 56- and 46-yard FGs, but missed a 50-yarder by about a foot in the 1st (what’s wrong with kicking the ball down the middle, anyway?). Special teams also did not distinguish themselves on the penalty front, with Chase Reynolds roughing the punter to keep a Viking TD drive alive and Daren Bates getting a personal foul for taunting on a kickoff. One of the few bright spots on the team was the Pro Bowl-quality work of Johnny Hekker. Only one of his booming punts was even returnable; Hekker did more to take a weapon away from the Vikings than any of his teammates.

* Strategery: Hiring Brian Schottenheimer has to be right up there on the list of worst moves Jeff Fisher has made with the Rams. I’ve gone out of my way to praise Schotty for having the sense to stick with things that are working during a game. Twice in this game, when the Rams finally got Stacy or Cunningham rolling with three decent carries, Schotty then stopped running and the drives crashed and burned on failed passing plays. We were all assured Shaun Hill would throw deep well enough to keep defenses honest. Rams QBs threw one deep pass in the game. Remember last year when Schotty started the season thinking he was Josh McDaniels? Let’s have a real warm Rams Nation welcome back for Pat Shurmur!

And drafting Tavon Austin for Schottenheimer has turned out to have made about as much sense as hiring a hooker for the Pope. Schotty doesn’t know what to do with Austin and never will. Seriously, inside handoffs? True, the only run play Schotty seems to know is to go up the middle, but what is his objection to getting the ball to Austin on the move? Does he watch other teams’ games? Like, say, Seattle with Percy Harvin opening night? OR THE TEAM RIGHT ACROSS THE FIELD FROM HIM? Run the friggin’ jet sweep, you goof. Run an end-around. Put him in motion like you did in preseason and he’s open before the snap because DBs already can’t keep up. This is not rocket science. Offensive coordinators all over the league turn fast players into dangerous offensive weapons. Not ours.

The Rams lost the battle of the blitz decisively. The offense couldn’t handle Minnesota’s blitzing, not the first time Schotty’s failed at that, either, while Gregg Williams’ blitzing had little effect at all on Cassel, who usually just had to toss to the receiver Gaines was ten yards off of to relieve the pressure. Turning the jet sweep to Patterson into the riddle of the Sphinx, when it’s a play Minnesota showed in preseason that even rank amateurs knew to expect, makes me wonder if Williams and Schotty weren’t actually watching the Simpsons marathon last week instead of watching game tapes. Williams did call some successful run blitzes, and if their main objective was to contain AP, they got there. We’re expecting much more success than we saw from Williams this week, though.

Jeff Fisher tried to rally the troops after halftime with a big, showy powwow on the sideline. He’s done it before. The players have still never responded to it. They lost the 2nd half worse than they lost the 1st. So yeah, I’m kind of over Jeff Fisher as a master motivator at this point. He is of course a lost cause as any kind of disciplinarian, as his team racked up another 13 stupid penalties for 121 yards. Not all were good calls, but in there were still false starts by veteran offensive linemen at a home game, offsides by veteran defensive linemen, and roughing the punter and taunting on special teams. Fisher has done nothing effective to fix this for two years, so here’s my proposed solution: somebody make HIM run laps for all the penalties his team commits. Maybe that’ll draw his attention.

Meanwhile, the Rams did not start either of their first round picks, their 3rd and 4th round picks were inactive, and none of their last five draft picks made the final roster. So, we’ve got draft picks wasted and wasting away, we’ve got motivational speeches coming up flat, we’re timidly kicking the long figgie instead of going for it on 4th and less than a yard – who’s in charge here? Steve Spagnuolo? Scott Linehan? Jeff Fisher, you do not want to be drawing those comparisons in your third season. But here we are.

* Upon further review: Ed Hochuli didn’t work a Rams game last season, and as it turns out this week, not much reason to miss him. Minnesota got a FG out of Quinn getting a roughing-the-passer call for touching Cassel on his shoulder pad. Chris Long got an offside though TV showed Kyle Rudolph flinching first. They tried to call Bates for interfering with the returner when he leveled Marcus Sherels in the 2nd, then correctly picked up the flag, but ignored the whole time that Bates had been blocked in the back. Jenkins was blocked in the back blatantly on the long completion to Rhett Ellison that set up Rudolph’s TD, but was somehow called for holding himself. Huh? I also don’t understand all the OPI calls the Rams drew, when it looked like the same thing they did all preseason. A bad mix of ticky-tack calls and ignored calls much worse than other plays they did flag didn’t help matters. Grade: D+

* Cheers: A crowd in the mid-50,000s brought the noise early, and earned credit for 2-3 false starts and a Vikings panic timeout. The Fox commentators not only gave us credit for that, we got credit for both of Minnesota’s wild shotgun snaps by making it impossible for Cassel to communicate with his center. The highlight of the day was the wacky end zone race between the giant-headed Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce mascots, won by Isaac. Then the interview babe talked with the real Isaac Bruce while the fake Isaac Bruce looked in over his shoulder. The crowd turned hard on the home team, booing it off the field at halftime, and deservedly so, but still deserves credit for sticking around as long as it did. The place didn’t really start emptying out till it got to 27-3. Of course, I thought we also deserved a lot better than the Rams’ worst opening day effort since the Scott Linehan era in 2008, but what do I know.

* Who’s next?: If but briefly, the Rams have turned the tide in their rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning late-season affairs away, where they’ll be next week, and home the past two seasons. Robert Quinn made himself Mike Glennon’s worst nightmare in the Rams’ 23-13 victory here last season, landing three sacks of the rookie QB on his way to setting the (nod to Deacon Jones) St. Louis-era sack record. For the Rams to continue their success against Tampa, though, they’re going to have to beat Tampa’s new head coach, Lovie Smith, for the first time. They’re 0-4 lifetime against the former Rams DC.

Besides the Lovie challenge, Tampa’s offense could be a much tougher nut for the Rams to crack in 2014. Glennon has been supplanted by Josh McCown, who proved much harder to sack when he visited St. Louis last season with the Bears. The operating theory on defending McCown hinges on his habit of holding the ball too long behind an average-at-best, no-name offensive line. Yet, McCown didn’t do too poorly under similar conditions here last year, squirming out of trouble at least a dozen times to make plays downfield to his big receivers. We could be in for a replay next week, with McCown throwing to Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans. One of E.J. Gaines’ pre-draft selling points was the game against Texas A&M where he shut down Evans; well, here you go. The Buc o-line did not play very well in the preseason action I scouted. Doug Martin’s a hard-working, physical RB with outside speed; I’d hate to see how he looks if they ever block for him. There’s still some impatience to his game, but a lot of his bounces to the outside are also because he didn’t have anywhere to go inside. Right tackle Demar Dotson looks like a liability in pass pro, they demoted their right guard during camp, and their left side, especially LG, got little to no push in the running game. That last problem, though, should be well fixed by their trade for Logan Mankins, who gives them much more freedom to double-team, especially if he’s 1-on-1 with Kendall Langford, who’s got to hold his own in that matchup to prevent McCown from stepping up in the pocket all day. The toughest thing about the Tampa offense for the Rams will be their pace. They’re patient to a fault; McCown hardly ever looks to stretch the field. But Tampa has been running most of their offense in no-huddle. If you thought the Rams looked like gassed middle-aged basketball players in their Saturday morning rec league at the “Y” against Green Bay in August, throw in Florida’s September heat and humidity and enjoy the lactic acid. Defensive conditioning could be as big a deal in this game as defensive scheme.

You have to be strong up the middle to succeed in just about any sport; Tampa’s defense really seems to take that to heart: Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald, Lavonte David, Mason Foster, Dashon Goldson and Mark Barron make up a solid defensive core. McCoy is the straw that stirs the drink up front; the Rams will have to double-team him most downs. He’s their quickest lineman, Aaron Donald-quick, at that, and has impressive power. Against Buffalo he was blocking-sledding guys back into the backfield before the Bills could even get their play going. The Rams have to get McCoy blocked. Yes, that’s like telling Tokyo Civil Defense, “You have to stop that giant dinosaur over there.” Doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be done. McCoy’s ability to dominate means somebody’s going to have to step up and be able to handle the deceptively-quick and relentless McDonald 1-on-1. The excellent closing speed of the Buc d-line dictates that the Ram o-line do a much better job of finishing their blocks. The ends have some success with stunts but there’s not a lot of edge speed to fear. The speed to fear is at ILB with David and Foster, extremely athletic players who are all over the place, and they’re terrific pass defenders. They get really good drops, read the QB well and have good ball skills. The Rams are going to have to be able to establish the run early and make play-action credible, or they’re not going to have a solution for all that middle speed, and we’ll be treated to another week of slogging offense.

The good news: Tampa managed to lose to Carolina minus Cam Newton, so the Rams aren’t alone in their rapidly-sinking boat of a season. Both teams are going to have to do their best to forget this week ever happened and get back at it like it’s the start of the new season. Good luck to us in Rams Nation trying to do the same.

— Mike
Game stats from nfl.com

After stellar rookie season, Stacy leads a balanced backfield
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/after-stellar-rookie-season-stacy-leads-a-balanced-backfield/article_2a279c0f-64ac-54ab-990d-b5c57add6aff.html

Rams running back Zac Stacy doesn’t mind a little friendly competition. In fact, he encourages it.

“Football is a business built on competition,’’ Stacy said following a recent practice at Rams Park. “You’re constantly working to be better than the guy lined up across from you. It’s about being consistent and productive and about making the most of your opportunities.

“The competition in training camp has been the best I’ve seen since I started playing football. We have some great backs here, and we’re all working and pushing each other to get better. Every day, we’re challenging one another. And in the long run that’s something that will help this football team.’’

Although running backs coach Ben Sirmans said that final depth chart is still to be determined, he said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Stacy took the first snaps when the Rams open the season Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at the Edward Jones Dome.

Then again, Stacy has earned it.

A fifth-round draft choice from Vanderbilt, the 5-foot-9, 224-pound Stacy patiently waited for his chance a year ago as the team opened the season with Daryl Richardson starting as part of a spread attack. But the spread was scrapped after a humbling 35-11 Thursday loss to visiting San Francisco, and when the team returned to action 10 days later, Stacy was in the backfield.

“It was definitely frustrating from the standpoint of knowing you can play at this level and wanting to prove it,’’ he recalled. “But you wait your turn and you keep working to get better. When the opportunity came, I took advantage of it.’’

Sirmans added: “Zac was a little nicked up in camp and we had some other guys doing well. But when Daryl hurt his toe, we decided it was time to give Zac a shot, to let him rock and roll.’’

Stacy, who had just one 4-yard carry through the first four games of the season, became the workhorse in the Rams’ ground game, finishing with 250 carries for 973 yards while catching 26 passes for 141 yards. He also had a team-leading eight touchdowns.

When asked about falling short of 1,000 yards, Stacy quickly dismisses it.

“Honestly, I’ve never been a guy who gets too caught up in numbers. The only number I care about is wins and losses,’’ the 23-year-old said. “I’m a big preparation guy; I take pride in Wednesday through Saturday, preparing and doing everything I need to do physically and mentally. That way, when Sunday rolls around, I can play fast and play smart. If I can do that, everything else will take care of itself.’’

Stacy’s production in the preseason was unspectacular — he ran 15 times for 39 yards and had a 10-yard pass reception — but it is not something he is worried about. He knows, and the Rams know, what he can do.

So instead of overworking Stacy, the Rams spread the preseason carries, giving plenty of work to third-round draft pick Tre Mason (43 carries, 124 yards), rookie free agent Trey Watts (25 carries, 106 yards, TD), second-year back Benny Cunningham (15 carries, 80 yards) and core special teams player Chase Reynolds (10 carries, 65 yards), who picked up 38 of those yards on a fake punt.

Consider, too, that the Rams’ starting offensive line was together for just a handful of preseason plays.

“We have guys who can complement Zac. And push him,” said Sirmans, who is in his third season with the club. “It’s as talented and competitive a bunch as I’ve coached, and each guy seems to bring a little something different to the table. So depending on the situation, any one of these guys could be called on.

“In this business, the bottom line is production. I don’t care if you’re getting 25 carries or five; when you get your chance, you have to make the most of it.’’

Cunningham, an undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee, joined the Rams after seeing his college career cut short by a knee injury. Back at 100 percent, he is ready to take that next step.

“I just feel so much more comfortable now,’’ he said. “Last year, with the injury and all, I was stressing every day. But having a full year with the playbook, I’m a lot more confident on the field. And I don’t think I’ve ever felt better physically.

“If you’re not going to be the No. 1, you find some other way to get on the field — for me, it’s special teams. You keep working hard and you stay ready because you never know when your chance will come.’’

And that’s the attitude that “veterans’’ Stacy and Cunningham have tried to instill in rookies Mason and Watts.

Mason, a Heisman Trophy candidate last year, showcased his skill and durability as a junior last fall, rushing for 1,816 yards to break Bo Jackson’s single-season Auburn rushing record and scoring 25 touchdowns. He has struggled a bit in pass protection — something that is not uncommon for rookie backs — but will definitely add a different look to the Rams’ backfield.

“At this point, I’m just trying to work hard every day to become a better football player,’’ he said. “Whatever the coaches ask me to do, I’m trying to do the very best I can.’’

Watts is taking the same approach. At Tulsa, he did a little of everything, and he hopes to fill a similar role here.

“I think I can provide some different things,” he said. “We’re working every day to help and push each other because you’re only as good as your weakest link.’’

Reynolds’ focus will be on special teams; he didn’t have a single carry from scrimmage last season.

Keenum settling in to new surroundings

By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11326/keenum-settling-in-to-new-surroundings

EARTH CITY, Mo. — Newly acquired St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum was born in Brownwood, Texas. He played high school football at Wylie High in Abilene, Texas, and his college ball at the University of Houston. He spent his first two seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans.

In short, everything Keenum’s ever known and accomplished in football has been for Texas and in Texas. Until now.

When the Rams claimed Keenum off waivers from the Texans on Monday afternoon, it meant Keenum was, for the first time, going to have to leave his comfortable Texas environs for something altogether new.

“It hasn’t really set in yet,” Keenum said. “I’m just trying to stay at it. I’ve got the grind going and just continue to work. But I’m excited to be in a new place, be out of Texas, be out of my comfort zone and grow a little bit.”

If all goes according to the Rams’ plan, Keenum will have plenty of time to go through that growing process. When starting quarterback Sam Bradford was lost for the season to a second torn ACL in as many seasons, the Rams insisted they’d be patient before adding some depth behind new starter Shaun Hill.

The Rams followed through on that plan, waiting for Keenum to be released and then claiming him off waivers with no expense other than the corresponding roster move. In adding Keenum, the Rams picked up a young quarterback with eight games of NFL starting experience.

It’s that experience that made Keenum appealing to the Rams.

“Because of injury, Case got a lot of experience last year, started eight games,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “You look at the body of work — no, he didn’t win any of those games — but there was some really good things that you saw out of a young player. We spent a lot of time evaluating those games and felt like he’d be a good option to come in here and try to develop as a three or a two. We just wanted him in the mix.”

For now, there’s no need to rush to get Keenum up to speed. Even if he wanted to, it would be awfully difficult for Keenum (or any quarterback, really) to attempt to come in and be ready to play. The Rams are committed to Hill as the starter and have Austin Davis penciled in as No. 2. Things should remain that way for the foreseeable future while Keenum works to learn coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.

Where Keenum brings game experience that Davis doesn’t have, Davis possesses knowledge of the offensive system that Keenum currently lacks.

Keenum said he hit the ground running upon arrival in St. Louis and is spending most of his waking hours attempting to narrow that learning curve.

“Any system in this league is tough,” Keenum said. “This game is obviously pretty tough. I’m excited to learn some new stuff. It’s just kind of trying to be able to translate what I know and how I’ve run things and get terminology. Obviously that’s like speaking another language, so I’m just trying to learn another language as fast as I can.”

• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by RamBill.
• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by zn.

http://www.rams-news.com/austin-davis-now-next-in-line-at-qb-pd/%5D Austin Davis Now Next in Line at QB –PD
At the start of training camp, it seemed like Austin Davis had a better chance of coaching football at Westminster Christian Academy again than making the Rams’ 53-man roster.

http://www.rams-news.com/michael-sam-to-join-cowboys-practice-squad-pd/%5D Michael Sam to join Cowboys’ Practice Squad –PD
Michael Sam’s NFL football career is heading to Big D.

http://www.rams-news.com/mike-sando-on-if-robert-quinn-stands-to-earn-j-j-watt-level-money-radio-interview/%5D Mike Sando on if Robert Quinn Stands to Earn J.J. Watt-Level Money –Radio Interview

http://www.rams-news.com/adam-schefter-michael-sam-to-take-physical-with-cowboys-video/%5D Adam Schefter: Michael Sam To Take Physical With Cowboys –Video

http://www.rams-news.com/jim-thomas-rams-update-sept-2-radio-interview/%5D Jim Thomas Rams’ Update: Sept. 2 –Radio Interview

http://www.rams-news.com/are-the-vikings-and-rams-mirror-images-of-each-other-radio-interview/%5D Are the Vikings and Rams “Mirror Images of Each Other?” –Radio Interview

http://www.rams-news.com/what-case-keenum-brings-to-the-rams-wagoner/%5D What Case Keenum Brings to the Rams –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams waited patiently to make an addition at quarterback after losing starter Sam Bradford for the season. On Monday, they made their move by claiming quarterback Case Keenum off waivers from the Houston Texans.

http://www.rams-news.com/watt-gets-paid-robert-quinns-turn-coming-wagoner/%5D Watt gets paid, Robert Quinn’s turn coming –Wagoner
They were selected three spots apart in the 2011 NFL draft. In the time since, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt and St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn have developed into two of the league’s most dominant defensive players, regardless of position.

http://www.rams-news.com/morning-ram-blings-telling-qb-stats/%5D Morning Ram-blings: Telling QB stats
Good morning, all. Hope everyone enjoyed a nice extended weekend. Let’s start the day with something a little different.

http://www.rams-news.com/2014-predictions-st-louis-rams/%5D 2014 Predictions: St. Louis Rams
ESPN.com St. Louis Rams reporter Nick Wagoner makes his game-by-game picks for the 2014 season.

http://www.rams-news.com/power-rankings-no-24-st-louis-rams-espn/%5D Power Rankings: No. 24 St. Louis Rams –ESPN
It’s that time of year again where the ESPN Power Rankings become a weekly staple.

http://www.rams-news.com/don-banks-si-coms-2014-nfl-preview-st-louis-rams-video/%5D Don Banks SI.com’s 2014 NFL preview: St. Louis Rams –Video

http://www.rams-news.com/notables-and-predictions-for-rams-in-2014-gray/%5D Notables and Predictions for Rams in 2014 –Gray
Oftentimes, people focus on specific St. Louis Rams opponents in attempting to diagnose the most difficult portion of the schedule. And while there is certainly some merit in doing so, each and every year teams that are expected to flourish eventually fail and clubs expected to flounder take flight.

http://www.rams-news.com/burwell-what-does-sams-future-hold-video/%5D Burwell: What Does Sam’s Future Hold? –Video

http://www.rams-news.com/wagoners-2014-predictions-st-louis-rams-video/%5D Wagoner’s 2014 Predictions: St. Louis Rams –Video

http://www.rams-news.com/why-nfc-west-is-best-in-the-nfl-video/%5D Why NFC West is Best in the NFL –Video

What Case Keenum brings to the Rams
By Nick Wagoner and Tania Ganguli

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11204/what-case-keenum-brings-to-the-rams

The St. Louis Rams waited patiently to make an addition at quarterback after losing starter Sam Bradford for the season. On Monday, they made their move by claiming quarterback Case Keenum off waivers from the Houston Texans.

ESPN.com Rams reporter Nick Wagoner and Texans reporter Tania Ganguli discuss what the Rams are getting in Keenum and what Keenum’s role will be in St. Louis.

Wagoner: Tania, I remember chatting with you before the Rams and Texans played last year and you mentioned the local push for hometown favorite Case Keenum to be the starter. Coincidentally, he took over that job after the Rams beat up on the Texans and went on to start eight more games. Now he’s a Ram after they claimed him on waivers Monday afternoon. You saw every one of Keenum’s starts. What are the Rams getting in their new backup quarterback?

Ganguli: They are getting a quarterback who knows what he needs to do but struggles to do it.

Keenum’s remarkable college career made him a lot of fans locally, but he spent all of his rookie year on the Texans’ practice squad before making the roster last season. The Texans’ quarterback situation was incredibly strange last season. By the time Keenum became the starter, the Texans’ season was in such a spiral then-coach Gary Kubiak wanted something to spark his team.

That’s the positive with Keenum. He has moxie (Wade Phillips’ word, and I liked it). He was probably the best natural leader in the Texans’ quarterback room last season. He can lift a team emotionally. The problem is a lot of the rest of the responsibilities. In his early starts, it took opposing defensive coordinators until halftime to decipher Keenum. In his second start, he threw three touchdown passes to Andre Johnson to give the Texans an astonishing 21-3 lead over the Indianapolis Colts at halftime. They lost that game 27-24. By his later starts, opponents had enough film to shut him down from the start.

His main issue is handling pressure. His first instinct is to run away from it. He went backward for sacks more than any other quarterback in the NFL last season. In college he was very successful improvising and using his legs, but he hasn’t adjusted to the idea that it doesn’t work the same way in the pros. Don’t get me wrong — every so often his improvisation led to a terrific play. He just expects it too often.

He doesn’t have trouble reading defenses; he has trouble reacting and making the right decisions once he has. A few times last season, a dejected Keenum noted that he knew what he was supposed to do, he just didn’t think to do it in time. His internal clock also needs work and he holds on to the ball too long when he tries to make plays.

Keenum’s fan base in Houston still exists, though it has begun to acknowledge that he’s struggled. The Rams’ situation is an interesting one for him, with starter Sam Bradford out with a torn ACL. What kind of situation do you see this being for him?

NW: The Rams mean it when they say they are committed to Shaun Hill as the starter. I think it would take something pretty drastic in terms of his performance or an injury for that to change. That means Keenum is coming in to serve in a backup role behind Hill. The Rams are keeping Austin Davis on the roster as well, bringing the total quarterbacks on the 53 to three. Davis has been around for three years and knows the system, so there’s no reason to rush Keenum into trying to become the primary backup right away. After Keenum settles in, perhaps he pushes Davis for the No. 2 job behind Hill. But that’s unlikely to happen right away. The Rams don’t view Keenum as any sort of long-term replacement for Bradford, but they’d certainly welcome a young quarterback who could provide some depth beyond just this season.

http://www.rams-news.com/case-keenum-joins-rams-quarterback-carousel-pd/%5D Case Keenum Joins Rams’ Quarterback Carousel –PD
In effect, the Rams gave quarterback Case Keenum a chance to play 10½ months ago in Houston when they knocked starter Matt Schaub out of the game because of an ankle injury.

http://www.rams-news.com/burwell-fear-of-distraction-might-slow-sams-search-for-a-new-nfl-home/%5D Burwell: Fear of Distraction Might Slow Sam’s Search for a New NFL Home
From the moment he embarked on his National Football League journey, the one thing Michael Sam desperately wanted to be was a football player. But today, just two days from the start of the NFL regular season, the former Mizzou star is without a job.

http://www.rams-news.com/youth-remains-abundant-on-rams-roster-simmons/%5D Youth Remains Abundant on Rams Roster –Simmons
As has been the case for the past couple of seasons, the Rams will enter 2014 with one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. But don’t let that moniker fool you — this team also has a wealth of experience to draw upon for the upcoming season.

http://www.rams-news.com/rams-roster-breakdown-defense-wagoner/%5DRams Roster Breakdown: Defense –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams have their initial 53-man roster in place, and they are now in full preparation mode for Sunday’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

http://www.rams-news.com/keenum-a-solid-choice-for-patient-rams-wagoner/%5D Keenum a Solid Choice For Patient Rams –Wagoner
It took all of about an hour for the rumors and speculation to run rampant after St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford’s season-ending knee injury became official on Aug. 24.

http://www.rams-news.com/updated-rams-claim-qb-keenum-off-waivers-from-houston-pd/%5D Updated: Rams Claim QB Keenum Off Waivers from Houston –PD
The Rams have claimed quarterback Case Keenum off waivers from the Houston Texans.

http://www.rams-news.com/case-keenum-quickly-snatched-up-by-the-rams-proving-his-doubters-wrong-again/%5D Case Keenum Quickly Snatched up by the Rams, Proving his Doubters Wrong Again
One day after getting released by the Houston Texans in favor of Bill Belichick reject Ryan Mallett, Case Keenum’s found a new NFL team. The quarterback-needy St. Louis Rams picked up the former University of Houston record breaker off waivers on Monday.

http://www.rams-news.com/rams-announce-practice-squad/%5D Rams Announce Practice Squad

http://www.rams-news.com/rams-roster-breakdown-offense-wagoner/%5D Rams Roster Breakdown: Offense –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams have their initial 53-man roster in place and they are now in full preparation mode for Sunday’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

http://www.rams-news.com/a-look-at-the-rams-roster-makeup-wagoner/%5D A Look at the Rams’ Roster Makeup –Wagoner
St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher was very open about the possibility of the 2014 roster taking on a different look than it has in his first two years in St. Louis.

http://www.rams-news.com/morning-ram-blings-sam-awaits-next-move-wagoner/%5D Morning Ram-blings: Sam Awaits Next Move –Wagoner
Former St. Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam cleared waivers Sunday and is now free to sign with any team or its practice squad.

http://www.rams-news.com/mel-kipers-2015-big-board-video/%5D Johnny Hekker One-on-One with Chris Long –Video

http://www.rams-news.com/mel-kipers-2015-big-board-video/%5D Mel Kiper’s 2015 Big Board –Video

http://www.rams-news.com/kevin-demoff-rams-update-radio-interview/%5D Kevin Demoff Rams Update –Radio Interview

The Emotional Injury of Bradford’s Torn ACL
From Stats Doctor

http://www.101sports.com/2014/08/28/time-knee-jerk-response/

For many, the second torn ACL for Sam Bradford will have a great impact on how they will look at the season in terms of wins and losses. Let me focus more on the tremendous sense of loss.

Although I am in the business of trying to help people through difficult times, goodness knows I hear stories almost daily that leave me wondering how I can possibly be helpful. People describe incredibly difficult situations that leave me thinking, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” After what we witnessed Saturday night and then heard about Sunday, I could only imagine what Bradford was going through. But, let’s not forget that this happens all too commonly in football. In the first two preseason games alone, Isaiah Pead and Mason Brodine went down with season-ending knee injuries as well.

In the NFL, it has been said the initials also stand for “Not For Long.” The clock is always ticking on a player’s football life expectancy that, on average, is about two-and-a-half years. You don’t get those years back and, for that matter, there is no guarantee that you get back so much as one more day. These are really young people, almost kids, and that is easy to forget. Most professional athletes are done with their playing careers by the time they are 30 years old, and then they have to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives.

I see plenty of patients who are dealing with the loss of a job or a career. But, most of them are at least twice as old as these athletes.

Football is one of the sports where we, the spectators, don’t really see the faces behind the face mask and helmets while they compete. Sure, we see them on the sidelines, in interviews and on commercials sans helmets. We see what they are doing on the field of play, but we don’t see what they are feeling. It is easy to think of a player as being more robotic and mechanical than human, like they were figments of our video game imagination. Arguably, the best wide receiver in the game carries the nickname “Megatron.” One of the bright young quarterbacks in the league is referred to as “Superman.” Even one of the top career rushers was known as “The Bus.”

Yet, in an instant, a player’s future both literally and figuratively can change and affect the rest of that player’s life. And that instant can impact the lives of so many, be they players and coaches, family or friends. Similarly, I am often struck by the preparation Olympic athletes endure over years to hopefully qualify and then participate in the Olympics that occur only every four years. Then you hear the stories of the last-second injury, the missed bus to go to the venue, the disqualification for a false start (no five-yard penalty there) or the athlete who is eliminated from competition in just seconds. It’s sad. It’s heartbreaking. It’s life.

Football is, pure and simple, a collision sport. Every play involves collisions that are akin to a car wreck at, let’s say, 35 miles per hour. When you add up the 1,982 plays from scrimmage, the 152 punts, the 155 kickoffs and the 228 accepted penalties (OK, I had to throw in some statistical information and, yes, some of the penalties were tacked on the end of plays) from the 2013 season, you basically have an average of roughly 155 plays per game that lead to a multitude of car wrecks every play. Years ago, I worked at a few games (most notably the “Music City Miracle”) helping the sideline reporter. It was amazing to hear the sound of what seemed like a stampede of horses and to feel the earth trembling as a sweep was headed in my general direction. Just think: That happens every single play.

Yes, injuries are a part of the game, and steps are being taken to try to lessen the number and severity of physical injuries. I, for one, hope that the emotional injuries are given equal attention. During the broadcasts of Rams football, I sit between two gentlemen who played the game and certainly endured physical injuries – and Steve and D’Marco seem to still love the game. It’s a tough sport.

The psychiatrist in me really feels for any athlete whose dreams are threatened by the real sense of loss that comes with any injury. Hopefully, each injured player will pace himself in dealing with both the physical and emotional pain that is and will be there. The fan in me will be rooting for Sam Bradford and all of the injured to make a full recovery so that they can try once again to pass, run, catch and simply pursue their dreams.

In the news recap post there’s a link to an article by Bernie (link). I know many of you have problems with Bernie, but I think he often makes sense.

In this case, I think he makes a lot of sense:

Bernie: A 4-12 season by the Rams in 2014 could all but kill off the remaining fan interest. I’m probably guilty of overstating that; of course the diehards will continue to support the Rams. But of this I’m certain: Another bad season won’t grow fan interest in Kroenke’s business.

I mean, I dunno from LA. Who knows what to think of a 30 year old stadium morass?

What I do think we know is that the Rams’ place in StL is precarious. Let’s review: they move to StL and suck for years. Then they catch lightning in a bottle and win a title … after which they go back in the tank for record-setting years of futility.

I don’t know that the Rams have ever established a firm fan base to the degree necessary to survive a long, long string of failure. I also suspect that the fan base in the town is not strong enough to hang onto the team if Kroenke goes looking for higher franchise value. I mean, they are valued lowest of all NFL franchises. And I don’t see how the stadium issue in StL gets resolved without firm and unwavering fan support.

That’s why I have said before that this is a crucial year for the franchise. It’s Year 3, and that doesn’t just mean die hards like us being impatient. I really sense that the foundation on which the franchise is based in StL will seriously crumble if they are once again playing meaningless games in November, let alone December.

I mean, think about it. With Bradford hurt again, what is the ticket demand going to be for home games from fans disillusioned by years of frustration? Who is going to care about the rest of the season if they go, say 3-6? Who is going to have any faith in later seasons when, suddenly, after having a franchise QB we look at long term uncertainty at that position? I foresee lots of opposition fans buying up unwanted seats for Ram games.

This is Year 3 of a regime that promised a way out of the wilderness. But it’s also Year 25 or whatever the number is (I’m horrible at numbers) of Ram futility, and the buzz of the GSOT has long dwindled to nothing. The roots in the StL fan base just aren’t deep enough to survive yet another reset.

I have believed all along that we needed a winning year THIS YEAR to stabilize the franchise. Now, there’s good reason to think that won’t happen. Good enough reason to drive StL fans further away, at any rate.

I’m not offering despair here. The franchise MIGHT survive in the city. And I do see possibilities with this year’s team, though I am nowhere near as optimistic as Mac and others.

But I’ll tell you what. They better win AT LEAST the 1st 2 home games. They have to prove to StL fans right away that there is reason to hope. They cannot afford to restart the season after 4 bad games as they did last year.

This is the year. A great deal is riding on this team producing THIS YEAR. And the toughness of the division or the injured QB ain’t going to cut it as excuses.

Another losing season may or may not mean that Fish is fired. But it is going to be a gawdawful blow to the franchise. I find it hard to see it surviving in StL.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1124694/how-experimental-knee-surgery-got-kaya-turski-ready-for-the-olympics/

How experimental knee surgery got Kaya Turski ready for the Olympics
By Carmen Chai Global News

(Note: I dunno how to embed flash videos, so please visit the link. The videos are very cool and add to the article – Mack)

Watch the video above: Canadian Freestyle skier Kaya Turski’s comeback helped by experimental surgery. Crystal Goomansingh reports.

TORONTO – It happened on her last day of training with the Canadian ski team in Mount Hood.

Olympic athlete Kaya Turski was working on a switch left side rotation, a spin that isn’t a natural move for her. She came around the turn just a little short and felt a snap.

She knew right away what it was – she’d ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament, a bundle of fibres crucial in stabilizing the knee, twice before.

That was August 11. The Montreal native was just six months away from the Olympics.

“A zillion things went through my mind when I fell and I felt my knee go. You know, obviously the Olympics was the first thing that came up,” Turski told Global News.

“It’s something I have been training for for as long as the event has been included, basically my whole life​.”

READ MORE: Canada’s athletes in Sochi: Meet skier Kaya Turski

WATCH: Kaya Turski talks about being ready to compete in Sochi and the journey back from injury

​Fast forward to just a week before the Olympics: Turski captured her fifth Winter X Games gold medal in women’s ski slopestyle.

But her road to recovery came with the help of a Canadian doctor and an experimental knee surgery combining a cadaver’s ligaments and synthetic ones.​

“The challenge is, it’s not her first time. So the decision-making is quite a bit different than someone who’s already had the surgery,” Dr. Bob Litchfield said.

He’s the medical director of the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic and a professor at the University of Western Ontario. It was his skilled hands that oversaw Turski’s surgery and recovery.

In Turski’s case, Litchfield had to take into account the hardware that’s already in her knee, tunnels already drilled through bone from her previous injuries.

WATCH: Kaya’s video diary from the day she discovered injury through surgery and recovery to her return to the slopes

READ MORE: Despite injuries, Canada’s extreme athletes have high hopes for Sochi Olympics

With a countdown to the Winter Games looming, Turski and Litchfield also didn’t have time on their side.

Ultimately, Litchfield decided that he could put new soft tissue grafts in her knee, supplemented by a synthetic ligament. The grafts, which are tissue that replicates the function of the ACL, were used from donor cadavers.

The anterior cruciate ligament joins the tibia through to the femur. It’s important in stabilizing – especially with a stop-and-go sport. It controls when you plant your foot, change directions, turn on a ski and land from a jump.

Those are all stressors on the ACL. And sometimes, like in Turski’s case, the load is too great.

Between the cadaver’s​ tissue and the synthetic ligament, Litchfield said he hopes the knee surgery will give Turski immediate stability and that over time, the graft will​ grow into her own bone.

READ MORE: Canadian skier earns Olympic berth the hard way

“We didn’t want to go through a short-term solution for Kaya. She’s still a very young person,” Litchfield said.

“I sure hope it’s the last surgery she has on this knee. That’s the plan,​ anyway.”

WATCH: Dr. Litchfield talks about Kaya’s revolutionary surgery

ACL reconstructions and revisions of ACL reconstructions are pretty common, especially in young professional athletes. Revision rates can reach as high as 20 per cent for reconstruction, Litchfield said.

“The difference with this surgery was, most of the time we’re using tissue alone and in Kaya’s case, we’ve incorporated tissue with synthetic together with the goal of trying to get her back to high-level performance earlier,” Litchfield said.

“In that way, it is unusual and I guess experimental,​ if you will.”

READ MORE: Canada’s Turski wins slopestyle gold at freestyle worlds, Howell wins silver

It’s unclear how the synthetic will hold up, especially with Turski’s slope-style skiing.

​She’s constantly coming from height, accelerating, slowing down and landing jumps, akin to a gymnast doing aerials and multiple back flips.

Litchfield said he’ll be watching Turski like a “nervous father.”

“We learn a lot from elite athletes. We learn what is capable of the human body that we didn’t think was capable,” Litchfield said.

For now, he wouldn’t recommend this kind of surgery to a larger group of patients. But that could change.

“Surgery’s always evolving. We’re always looking at new techniques and better ways of doing things and better ways of decreasing failure rates and re-injury rates so it has to stand up to scientific scrutiny,” Litchfield said.

WATCH: Back to school for cross country ski team

In the meantime, Turski said she’s “feeling good.” She returned to skiing in early December.

“The first run was obviously something I just needed to get it over with. It was nerve-wracking but as soon as I clicked in and started taking my first turns, everything just made sense and I feel really good,” Turski said.

Some days come with some aches and soreness but she has a full-time physical therapist on hand to help work out the kinks.

She’s also taking on maintenance workouts, cycling, and ice baths to keep her knee in check for the Olympics.

“I’m just excited to stare at the course, look down at my feet, pinch myself, realize I’m actually there. Look at my coach, look at my teammates…and let it be go time,” Turski said.

“I made it here against all odds,​ really.”

carmen.chai@globalnews.ca

• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by Mackeyser.
• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by Mackeyser.

Hill’s moment is at hand
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/hill-s-moment-is-at-hand/article_fb713947-68f3-54f8-a6d7-daf298c80635.html

Whether it was tongue-in-cheek or an innocent remark, Jeff Fisher elicited chuckles from reporters and brought back memories of the glory days when he said Sunday: “This team’s gonna rally around Shaun and we’re gonna go play,” Fisher said.

You know, just like Dick Vermeil and you-know-who back in 1999. Obviously, no one expects Shaun Hill to be the next Kurt Warner. And it’s unfair to Hill to even suggest that.

But in the interest of due diligence, the question had to be asked Monday when Hill met with reporters for the first time as the Rams’ starting quarterback.

Shaun, have you ever worked in a grocery store?

“No,” Hill said, taking the bait. “The closest was a fireworks stand in the

summertime. We would start out the year and we would package and ship for Jake’s

Fireworks in Pittsburg, Kansas. And then as soon as the store was able to open we’d go and run the store for a few weeks.”

OK, not exactly like stocking grocery shelves at the Hy-Vee, but it’s a start.

Which is what Hill, a native of Parsons, Kan., will be doing in the Rams’ Sept. 7 season opener against Minnesota — starting at quarterback against the Vikings.

One of the biggest media crowds of the preseason was in attendance Monday as the practice week started, wondering how the Rams would survive life without Sam Bradford and if Hill could cut it as Bradford’s replacement.

“He actually completed some passes today,” Fisher deadpanned. “And he actually knows where to go with the football, believe it or not. He’s fine. He’s a competitor, and knows what he’s doing. He’s going to make every opportunity count.”

Hill isn’t promising to deliver fireworks — that’s no longer his job. But after throwing only 16 passes over the past three seasons (as a Detroit Lion), he is ready for the opportunity.

“Definitely,” Hill said. “Obviously you feel terrible for Sam. Getting to know him here, I was really looking forward to seeing him play this year. He was going to light it up.

“But the nature of the business is next guy up — that’s me. There’s a lot of excitement, getting amped up, and ready to go for this one.”

Hill learned that Bradford’s knee injury was season-ending just like everyone else — at a team meeting Sunday. He has since talked to Bradford to offer words of encouragement.

“Like I said, I feel bad for the guy,” Hill said. “He’s gonna come back better from it, though, for sure. I guarantee it.”

Known throughout his career as a stickler for preparation, Hill said he had a good grasp of the offense by the end of OTAs, conquering the whole learning-a-new-language thing. Once training camp started he was able to hit the ground running and learn the nuances and details of the system.

“I’ve always gone into every week, even as a backup, as if I was gonna play,” Hill said. “That’s the only way I knew how to prepare. That’s the only way I knew how to do it.

“So to be honest with you, my mindset’s the same as it’s been every week. And I think throughout the length of my career, having that mindset every week has helped me to this moment. So that it’s not anything new. I don’t have to do anything different.”

Through 12 NFL seasons Hill, 34, has played in only 34 games, with 26 regular-season starts. Even with that lack of playing time, he has been an opening-day starter before, in 2009 for San Francisco.

Not that you’d expect the Rams to say we’re doomed, but Hill seems to have the full confidence of his teammates.

“Shaun Hill has everything it takes to take us to the playoffs this year,” wide receiver Chris Givens said. “He’s a leader. He demands respect in the huddle. He’s always making good decisions, and he’s a good vet guy to learn from.”

And one more from wide receiver Tavon Austin: “He’s a smart quarterback. He knows the system. He’s been around this league a while. There’s nothing he can’t handle.”

Hill said he’s had enough time on the practice field with the wideouts to develop a good rapport with the group. Keep in mind, he got plenty of reps with the starters during the June OTA period when Bradford’s practice time was limited.

“I feel comfortable with all of them,” Hill said.

The book on Hill says he is more accurate and throws a better deep ball than last year’s backup, Kellen Clemens. The fact that he has been at this a long time — the Rams were coming off a Super Bowl season when he entered the league in 2002 — should help when it comes to game-planning every week.

“I think that’s kinda where that experience and that edge will take over,” Hill said.

Fisher has done everything possible to give Hill a solid foundation, as well as send a message to the team, by reiterating to anyone who will listen that Hill is his guy and dismissing any trade speculation. You never say never in this business, but the Rams are not knocking on doors. There is a difference.

“We’ve not had discussions with anybody,” Fisher said again Monday. “Again, we’re gonna be patient with this.”

It’s possible some quarterback may be released in the next several days who interests the Rams. A trade partner may develop at some point. Who knows?

“But we’re not initiating anything right now,” Fisher said.

Fisher later added: “I think it’s important that once you make a change, for whatever reason, you stick with it. And we’re sticking with this, there’s no doubt about that.

“That allows everybody to get comfortable and have confidence in who’s under center as opposed to: ‘Well, what are we gonna do this week?’ He’s our guy, and we’re going to move forward.”
ABOUT SHAUN HILL

Ht.: 6-3

Wt: 220

Age: 34

Years pro: 13

BY THE NUMBERS

Games/Att/Cmp/Pct/TDs/INTs/QB Rate

34/954/591/61.9/41/23/85.9

Note: Backup quarterback Austin Davis is a second-year pro that has yet to throw a regular-season pass in the NFL.

• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by zn.
• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by zn.

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – August 25, 2014

(On if the heat brought the team indoors)
“We got back late, so yesterday was kind of a recovery day. Just wanted to give them a chance to recover. We’ll go back out tomorrow and of course we’re expecting some warm weather down in Miami, but this made sense for the guys. ”

(On if he spoke to QB Shaun Hill about his new role)
“That’s coming. Obviously, we had a little visit and he’s excited. Like I’ve said since yesterday, he’s disappointed for Sam (Bradford). That’s where his heart’s at right now because he knows how hard he worked, but in this business you move on, so he’s ready to go. He’s excited about his opportunity.”

(On how Hill practiced today)
“He was fine. He actually completed some passes today. He was fine and he actually knows where to go with the football believe it or not. He’s fine, he’s a competitor and knows what he’s doing. He’s going to make every opportunity count.”

(On if he is going to make offensive adjustments)
“No change whatsoever. Nothing, no changes. He fits right in, no changes whatsoever. We’ll be able to game plan on a weekly basis as if Sam were still here.”

(On the mood of the team after finding out about Bradford’s injury)
“Yesterday was difficult. They all care for Sam but they understand we have work to do. We have things we have to get done this week, on a short week and so they were working really good today.”

(On his response to trade speculations)
“You know what I like is, ‘According to sources close to the situation, we’re da da da da da….’ I love that okay. So no, we have not had any conversations with anybody. It’s the old source deal, you can just throw that out there. There’s a lot of players out there that are under contract and so you can’t discuss those things. But we’ve not had any discussions with anybody. Again, we’re going to be patient with this. There’s probably a couple quarterbacks let go at 75. There will probably be some let go at the 53 and like I said, there may be somebody, a club, we may have a trade partner out there. We don’t know. but we’re not initiating anything right now.”

(On Hill’s personality)
“He’s got a great since of humor. He’s outstanding in the huddle as you would expect a veteran to be so. It’s not just a play call, it’s the reminders in the huddle for breaks and reminders on the way to the line of scrimmage for the guys. And that’s important when you have a young team. But off the field, in meeting rooms, he’s just a normal guy. Very competitive though.”

(On if he and Hill have fished together)
“We’ve not fished together yet. No, we haven’t.”

(On the keys to keeping the team together after a quarterback change)
“Well, I think it’s important that once you make a change, for whatever reason, you stick with it and we’re sticking with this. There’s no doubt about that. That allows everybody to get comfortable and have confidence in who’s under center as opposed to, ‘Well, what are we going to do this week?’ So there’s no doubt that he’s our guy and we’re going to move forward. And again you have those discussions with the team and the defense will rally together and say, ‘Hey, we may have to win this week on defense,’ if we’re a playing very, very good opponent. But, the rest of the team just kind of picks itself up and goes on.”

(On when it comes the time to evaluate the quarterbacks)
“I don’t really like to deal with hypotheticals, but had Shaun not been here and we had an issue, we very well could have brought some guys in and see whose got a better feel for us under center and then go and name a starter, but we’ve already got a starter. He was clearly our two. He steps up and goes, and so anything that happens beyond that I can’t comment because we’ve really not done anything.”

(On if QB Austin Davis is up to the challenge of being the No. 2 quarterback)
“Yeah, you’re going to see him play. You’re going to get to see him play Thursday night. He played well in the game against a lot of their starters and so he made plays. He’s got a good feel, he’s got a good feel for what we’re doing. As I mentioned, (Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s) ‘Schotty’s’ very much at ease calling plays for him because he understands the offense.”

(On Davis’ improvement this offseason)
“Well it’s been hard on him and the others because of what they’re seeing from the defense in camp. That has helped him as you move into the games. (Defensive Coordinator) Gregg’s (Williams) going to throw everything at him and it’s very competitive and it’s difficult. But that makes it easier for him as you get into the regular season. The game slows down when you’re seeing so much happen at practice. It slows down and it’s slowing down for Austin.”

Rams QB Shaun Hill – August 25, 2014

(On if he’s ready to be the Rams’ starter)
“Yeah, definitely. Obviously I feel terrible for Sam (Bradford). Getting to know him here, I was really looking forward to seeing him play this year. He was going to light it up. But, the nature of the business, next guy up and that’s me. A lot of excitement getting cranked up and ready to go for this one.”

(On how he learned that Bradford’s injury was season ending and if he’s talked to Bradford)
“Yeah, I talked to Sam. Like I said, I feel bad for the guy. He’s going to come back better from it though, for sure. I guarantee it. How did I learn about it? The same time everybody else did on the team, in the team meeting yesterday.”

(On if the Rams’ offense is similar to any other system he’s previously played in)
“Yeah, it’s like learning a new language, just calling the plays and getting the picture of what that play is. From there, once you learn that new language, then you learn the nuances of it. It’s been a good process. We’ve put in a ton of work in the offseason, in OTAs and then I was able to come in and hit the ground running for training camp. That’s when we personally started working on the nuances of the offense and learning all the details of it. It’s been good. It’s been a good process.”

(On if his history with QB Coach Frank Cignetti has been beneficial in his acclimation to the offense)
“Yeah, especially early because we’ve been together before so we were able to speak the same language as he was teaching me some of the concepts. So, yeah that did help, especially early.”

(On fans comparing the current situation to that of the 1999 Rams with Kurt Warner replacing Trent Green)
“I didn’t realize they were making that comparison. This is a totally different situation. This is the 2014 Rams team. We’re going to go out and our attitude and our focus hasn’t changed.”

(On if he ever worked in a grocery store like Warner did)
“No, the closest was a fireworks stand or lot in the summer times. Fireworks stand, lawn mower, things like that.”

(On what he did at the fireworks stand)
“Well, we would start off the year, we would package and ship for Jake’s Fireworks in Pittsburg, Kansas. Then as soon as the store was able to open, we’d go and run the store for a few weeks.”

(On if Jake’s is still open)
“Yeah, Jake’s is a big company, now. You’ll have to look it up. They might do the Cardinals’ fireworks. Who knows?”

(On if he’s ever been a starter going into the opening week of the season)
“Yes.”

(On how the mindset of a starter is different than that of a backup)
“To be honest with you, I’ve always gone into every week, even as a backup, as if I was going to play. That’s the only way I knew how to prepare. That’s the only way I knew how to do it. So to be honest with you, my mindset is the same as it’s been every week. I think throughout the length of my career, having that mindset every week has helped me for this moment so it’s not anything new. I don’t have to do anything different.”

(On what season he was the opening day starter)
“It was 2009, San Francisco.”

(On what makes him confident that the Rams can be successful this season)
“We’ve got a very talented group and a great coaching staff. All the pieces are in place.”

(On his chemistry with the receivers)
“This preseason has been great. I’ve been able to work with all those guys so I’ve definitely been able to build a rapport with those guys and will continue to do so. I feel comfortable with all of them.”

(On how his long stretches as a backup have prepared him for this opportunity)
“It definitely did. Life of a backup, you might not go in for a few years but you have to stay ready. At the same time, it kind of feeds your fire. It makes you want to get back out there, and when the chance comes, you’re excited and you’re ready for it.”

(On the possibility of the Rams adding another quarterback to the roster)
“That’s always a possibility no matter what. That’s never been an issue, not something I’ll look into or read into. There’s nothing to even think about. All I can control is all I can control and go out and play my best.”

(On how it makes him feel that Head Coach Jeff Fisher emphatically says that Hill is ‘his guy’)
“It feels good to have his confidence and the team’s confidence. They’ve rallied around me and it’s been good.”

(On the response he’s received from the rest of the team)
“It’s been very supportive. Everybody’s heart goes out to Sam in this situation, but the team has definitely rallied and been very supportive.”

(On what it was like talking to Bradford on Sunday)
“Kind of what I told him was, ‘Look, God’s going to teach you something about himself and he’s going to teach you something about yourself in this situation.’ That’s what he does in every tough situation, and that’s what Sam’s facing. He will come out great on the other end. I promise you that. I’m still here to support him and he’s going to come back and he’s going to support me during the season. I know he will. He’s a standup guy. He’s going to be able to help me in game planning and things like that. We have a great relationship. I look forward to that.”

(On what he’d tell people he can bring to the offense)
“I’ve got some experience and been in this league for a long time. I think when we get into the game planning part of it, I think that’s where the experience and that edge will take over.”