Rams notes: Backfield mix provides different looks, more competition/PD

Rams notes: Backfield mix provides different looks, more competition
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notes-backfield-mix-provides-different-looks-more-competition/article_2be35635-a1f3-51f9-87de-6f397b241438.html

Even if it means losing a few carries, Rams running backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham are all for rookie Tre Mason joining the backfield mix.

Mason, a third-round draft pick in May, made his NFL debut Monday and fared well. He ran five times for 40 yards, including a team-best 24-yarder, and added a 12-yard pass reception.

“Tre did some great things for us,’’ said Stacy, who leads the team with 240 rushing yards this season after coming up just 27 yards short of 1,000 as a rookie last season. “At the end of the day, it’s all about doing what we need to do as a team to find a way to win the game.’’

Cunningham, who has run for 133 yards and two touchdowns this season, agrees. “I feel like whoever has the hot hand at the time is the guy who should get the ball,” he said. “We’re not selfish players; we’re just trying to help the team any way we can, as running backs and as special-teams players.’’

Stacy, Cunningham, Mason, Tavon Austin and rookie Trey Watts have had carries from the backfield this season for the Rams, who rank No. 18 in the league with 106 rushing yards a game.

Each of the Rams’ runners has his own style, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said the key is trying to take advantage of that.

“Early in the game, we try to get guys multiple touches (and) then we try to go with the hot hand late in the game,’’ he said. “Most places that I’ve been that have really good running games, they had the people to spread the ball around. Different backs bring different types of plays.’’

And then there is the competition factor.

“At this level, you’re competing every single day,’’ Stacy said. “We push each other and that makes us better as individuals and as a team.’’

Cunningham added: “You know that you have to make the most of your opportunities because if you don’t, there’s always somebody else ready to take over.’

SHORT-HANDED SEAHAWKS

Six Seattle players, including four starters, will sit out Sunday’s game with the Rams. They include middle linebacker and top tackler Bobby Wagner (toe), center Max Unger (foot), cornerback Byron Maxwell (calf) and tight end Zach Miller (ankle).

Also ruled out are defensive end Cassius Marsh (foot) and defensive tackle Jordan Hill (ankle). Tight end Luke Wilson (groin) is questionable.

In addition, it was announced late Friday afternoon that Seattle traded wide receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin to the New York Jets for a draft pick.

For the Rams, center Tim Barnes, who missed practice all week with a shoulder injury, is listed as doubtful, while linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (groin), defensive end Ethan Westbrooks (hand) and cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (knee) and Brandon McGee (foot) are questionable after limited practices Friday.

The Rams listed center Barrett Jones (back), defensive tackle Alex Carrington (knee), wide receiver Austin Pettis (ankle) and running backs Stacy (ankle) and Chase Reynolds (hip) as probable after they took part in full workouts Friday.

MISSED CALL

Not that it means a lot after the fact, but on NFL Network’s Total Access NFL, vice president of officiating Dean Blandino said that the officiating crew got a key call wrong in the Rams’ 31-17 loss to the 49ers on Monday night.

With the Rams up 14-3 and driving with just under 3 minutes to play in the first half, Rams tight end Jared Cook was called for offensive pass interference after catching a short pass from Austin Davis and taking it 21 yards to the San Francisco 25.

The Rams were forced to punt and the 49ers responded with a momentum-shifting 80-yard touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the half to cut the Rams’ lead to 14-10.

Blandino’s review of the play: “From the back judge’s perspective, the official that threw the flag, he’s got Cook extending his arms into the defender, and in his judgment, pushing to create separation. That’s not the case when you look at the sideline angle. (Cook) is going to get jammed by the defender and he’s going to use his hands to get that release. That’s legal, that’s not offensive pass interference. Not a correct call.”

RAM-BLING

A pair of Rams defensive ends, rookie Ethan Westbrooks and veteran William Hayes, were hit with fines for fourth-quarter incidents on Monday night.

Westbrooks was docked $8,268 for unnecessary roughness after throwing a punch at a 49er. For his horse-collar tackle on San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick, Hayes was fined $16, 537.

Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.