summary of pre-season

Rams notes: Rams’ Davis enjoys chance to start
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-notes-rams-davis-enjoys-chance-to-start/article_1ef573e5-b64e-53a8-aba4-5632b45b010a.html

Granted it was only a preseason game, but Thursday’s exhibition finale against Miami marked quarterback Austin Davis’ first start in the pros.

Davis, who just completed his third preseason as a Ram, played the entire first half in the team’s 14-13 loss to Miami at Sun Life Stadium.

“I thought Austin was a little excited early,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He sailed a couple of balls but settled down. Made some plays.”

Davis, 25, completed 12 of 19 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, good for a passer rating of 107.8. It marked the third time in four preseason games he has topped 100 in passer rating.

“Efficiency and moving the offense are key points that we focus on,” Davis said. “And not turning the ball over, to be honest with you.

“They always talk about just throwing a completion, so that’s what I’m trying to do. When you do that, you give the offense a chance to move down the field and help your team win.”

Davis said he knew all along that he was going to be starting against the Dolphins in what was a short work week. After returning home from preseason game No. 3 in Cleveland, the Rams had only two full-scale practices before heading to Florida.

“We talked about it all week that Shaun (Hill)’s gonna rest, and kinda get ready for Minnesota, and that the 2s would roll — start the game,” Davis said. “It was good just to kind of have that experience of knowing all week that you’re gonna start. And pregame. It was all new. So that’s good.”

Davis’ fourth touchdown pass of the preseason, and the Rams’ only TD Thursday, came midway through the second quarter on an 11-yard strike to Austin Pettis. Pettis beat a Miami safety to the inside on a quick developing route and made a diving catch.

“Honestly, it was a really, really good catch by him,” Davis said. “The ball was low and he made a heck of a catch for me.”

YOUTH IS SERVED

At the start of training camp, Fisher said the team’s youngsters would see plenty of playing time in the preseason. That certainly was the case Thursday.

Two first-year offensive linemen — Travis Bond and Sean Hooey — played every snap on offense (68). Unfortunately, both players were cut Friday. A third offensive lineman, Mike Person, also participated in all 68 offensive plays. Person, a fourth-year pro, is battling for a spot on the 53-man roster.

No. 2 overall draft pick Greg Robinson started at left tackle and was in for 38 plays, or 56 percent of the offensive snaps.

On defense, Michael Sam saw more duty than any Ram. He was in for 52 plays, or 76 percent of the team’s overall defensive snap count. In comparison, Ethan Westbrooks was in for 41 plays, or 60 percent of the total play count on defense.

“From a commitment (standpoint), from us to them, we told ’em they would get a chance to play in the preseason — the young guys,” Fisher said. “And they did.”

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH

The Rams finished the preseason ranked ninth in the NFL in total offense, averaging 335.3 yards per game. They finished 13th in total defense, yielding 298 yards per game.

The team was guilty of only one turnover, a Davis interception against Cleveland, to tie for the league low with Minnesota — the Rams’ season-opening opponent. The Rams tied for second in takeaway-giveaway difference at plus-5, also with Minnesota.

As testament to the amount of playing time Davis had in the preseason, he was fourth in passing attempts (63), fifth in completions (39) and fourth in passing yards (534) among quarterbacks in the league.