Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › reporters: Rams prepare for the BENGALS
- This topic has 10 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 9 years, 1 month ago by
zn.
-
AuthorPosts
-
November 25, 2015 at 12:22 am #34666
znModeratorNov.24 Rams Practice Report: Rhaney, Wichmann Move into Larger Roles
By Myles Simmons
The injury bug has hit the Rams’ offensive line hard recently, with four men on the unit going down with significant injuries in the last two weeks. Jamon Brown and Darrell Williams were placed on injured reserve following St. Louis’ loss to Chicago, with Rob Havenstein suffering a calf injury in the same contest. And now Andrew Donnal could be out for a few weeks with an MCL sprain sustained against the Ravens.
But with those injuries comes opportunities for younger linemen. Cody Wichmann got his first start last week at guard and Demetrius Rhaney played at guard, too, following Donnal’s injury in the second quarter. Both figure to be on the field when the Rams play Cincinnati this weekend.
In Wichmann’s case, the rookie out of Fresno State has been preparing to play guard for the entire season. He played over 50 games in college at the position, a positive factor for when the Rams grabbed him in the sixth round of the spring draft.
“There were a lot of rookies, lot of young players on this offensive line unit, but we prepared every week like we were going to be in the starting lineup,” Wichmann said.
Rhaney, however, had mainly been working as the club’s backup center since the end of the preseason. Though Rhaney saw some time at guard in the team’s exhibition matchups and practices with the Cowboys, that had come to an end once the roster got down to 53 players.
But according to Rhaney, things changed when Brown went down. Rhaney said head coach Jeff Fisher and offensive line coach Paul Boudreau made sure he knew he was the next man up, and as such had to be prepared to play both guard and center.
“I just made sure I just got on top of my guard calls and made sure I was ready in case anything happened,” Rhaney said. “And it happened on the first play of the second quarter.”
The pair of offensive linemen both said their results were mixed against Baltimore, though they each said they were glad to get back on the field to play offense.
“We’ve been working all season as the second-string unit to get our shot, and finally getting out there and seeing what we can actually do in a live situation is a weight off the shoulders,” Wichmann said.
Both Wichmann and Rhaney also said there is plenty to work on over the course of this practice week after watching the film.
“Technique here and there — keeping the feet moving and what not,” Wichmann said. “But you’ve got to use your experiences and build off of those. So I’m just trying to build those experiences.”
Rhaney pointed to technique issues as well as a reason why Baltimore nose tackle Brandon Williams was able to cross his face to penetrate the backfield, disrupting a run play before it ever got started.
“I had a shade and I took too big of a first step and I couldn’t get across, and he beat me across my face,” Rhaney said.
While he’s also on injured reserve after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, offensive lineman Rodger Saffold has been around the facility and practice, helping the young linemen in any way he can. Prior to speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Rhaney remained on the practice field working with Saffold.
“He stayed back and worked with me on a few technique things — my steps, and my hands, and my head placement,” Rhaney said.
“Rodger’s great. He’s obviously very experienced,” Wichmann said. “He’s in there all the time with us still. He watches film with us. He’s always around and he’s helping us young guys in more ways than you’d think. Just a great guy to be around.”
The injuries and shifts along the line affect the rest of the offense as well. Running back Todd Gurley said Tuesday he has to adjust to the different playing styles and tendencies of the men blocking for him.
“We’ve got four guys down, so it’s always going to be a tough adjustment with new guys coming in,” Gurley said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve still got to play hard, and execute, and make the calls, and do everything else up front.”
“One lineman might react a lot different, or his reaction time might not be as quick or as fast as the one before,” Gurley added. “But, like I said, everybody’s been doing a great job preparing and putting in the work throughout the week. We’ve just got to come to the game with that.”
Wichmann, Rhaney and the rest of the offensive line will need to play well against a high quality Cincinnati defense this week. The Bengals rank No. 4 in points allowed at 18.6 per game, and are have already racked up 28 sacks, 7.0 of them by defensive tackle Geno Atkins. Both Rhaney and Wichmann are likely to have some matchups against one of the game’s better interior pass rushers.
“He’s similar to Aaron Donald to me,” Rhaney said. “He’s very quick. He’s a little bigger and he’s got longer arms, but to me, he likes to work the inside a lot. So I’m going to make sure I keep a strong post foot this week and get the job done.”
“They’re definitely some good players,” Wichmann said. “They don’t do a whole lot of crazy fronts and what not. They stay to their base defense, but they will hustle to the ball. They’re strong guys and they get around the ball. It’s going to be important to keep going that extra step this week.”
As they continue playing, Fisher expects both Wichmann and Rhaney to show some marked improvement.
“That’s usually the case,” Fisher said. “I think [Wichmann] will learn from the speed of the game, he’ll learn from his mistakes, and he should get better. It’s a tough week to get better against this [Cincinnati] defense, but I expect Cody to improve. Same thing with D.”
November 26, 2015 at 2:28 am #34719znModeratorCase Keenum will start against Bengals if he clears concussion protocol
By Nick WagonerEARTH CITY, Mo. — St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum did not participate in the team’s light practice Tuesday afternoon because of the concussion he suffered last week against the Baltimore Ravens.
But coach Jeff Fisher offered hope that Keenum could be ready to participate in some capacity as soon as Wednesday.
“Yeah, he was in the building … looked at a lot of tape,” Fisher said. “[He] has not been cleared for any activity for [Tuesday], but we’re hopeful that [Wednesday] he’ll be ready to do some things outside. So, he’s feeling pretty good actually.”
Keenum, of course, made his first start for the Rams on Sunday and finished the game despite getting a concussion when he hit his head on the ground on the team’s final possession. The play left more questions than answers about how the Rams and the league handled it after Keenum stayed in the game following the injury.
The NFL, which is investigating the series of events that led to Keenum staying in the game, held a conference call with doctors and trainers from all 32 teams Tuesday night to discuss possible ways to improve the system of in-game concussion evaluations.
“It’s an important issue,” Fisher said. “I mean, it’s really a serious issue and the league’s taking it very serious and you can understand why. So, the league’s gathering information and we’re looking at the system under which we operate right now to see if there’s anything we can do to where we avoid that kind of situation that happened to Case. So, there will be a conference call and the league’s going to gather the information and they’ll adjust the features ever so slightly, I guess, on game day.”
Asked if he had any suggestions for changes he’d like to see made to the system, Fisher declined.
“As far as recommendations and suggestions as to how something like this doesn’t happen again, I can’t go there because there’s too many entities right now,” Fisher said. “They’re discussing their opinions of exactly what happened.”
In the meantime, Keenum continues to go through the normal concussion protocol. Fisher reiterated that Keenum would start against Cincinnati this week so long as he passes the proper tests, something Keenum is apparently on track to do.
“No setbacks,” Fisher said. “No, he was fine. He just hasn’t been cleared for any physical activity. He’s in the protocol and that’s typically the way things work on Tuesdays. So, he’ll go through some more testing and then we’re hopeful that he’ll be released for activity tomorrow.”
November 26, 2015 at 12:18 pm #34732znModeratorRams vs. Bengals Preview
Joe Lyons
COMING THIS WEEK
Entering November above .500 for the first time since 2006, the reeling Rams (4-6) have dropped three in a row and have not looked good doing so. Next up is a Sunday game in Cincinnati against the Bengals, who started 8-0 and are coming off tough-to-swallow losses to visiting Houston (10-6) and Sunday night in Arizona (34-31).
PLAYER TO WATCH
QB Andy Dalton. A second-round draft pick out of Texas Christian in 2011, the two-time Pro Bowl selection is one of just five QBs to throw for better than 3,000 yards in his first three pro seasons, joining Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson.
As a starter, he’s 48-25-1 in regular-season action. He’s completed 62.1 percent of his passes for nearly 17,500 yards with 119 touchdowns, 71 interceptions and a passer rating of 87.8.
But he’s 0-4 in four playoff starts. In those games, he’s completed 55.7 percent of his passes for 873 yards with one touchdown and six interceptions and a 57.8 passer rating.
HE SAID IT
“Honestly, I don’t remember how they scored 21 points in the third quarter. It’s all a blur to me right now,’’ Bengals safety George Iloka said. “Obviously, we didn’t come out. … I don’t know. I can’t tell you. I really don’t know.’’
After limiting ex-Bengal Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals to seven points and 102 yards of total offense in the first half Sunday, the Cincinnati defense was torched as Palmer threw three TD passes and amassed 205 yards of total offense in just 17 third-quarter plays. After the Bengals rallied, Arizona won on a Chandler Catanzaro field goal with one second to play.
INJURIES
Rams coach Jeff Fisher reported some relatively good news Monday, noting that the knee injury suffered by tackle Andrew Donnal was not an ACL tear, but “a somewhat significant MCL sprain’’ that will not require surgery. The coach said that QB Case Keenum (concussion) was “feeling better’’ and that CB Trumaine Johnson (thigh) should return to practice this week. DE Robert Quinn (back, hip) and T Rob Havenstein (calf) did not play Sunday.
Cincinnati CB Adam Jones (foot) did not play Sunday. During the game, the Bengals lost CB Darqueze Dennard (shoulder) and safety Shawn Williams (ankle). DTs Marcus Hardison and Pat Sims are slowed by knee injuries.
SERIES HISTORY
The Rams and Bengals have only met 12 times, with Cincinnati coming away with seven wins. Since the move to St. Louis in 1995, the Rams have taken three of five, with Cincinnati winning the last two. In the teams’ last meeting, in 2011, the visiting Bengals rallied from a 6-3 halftime deficit, getting TD runs late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, to win 20-13.
November 27, 2015 at 9:24 am #34753znModeratorMatchup of the week: Bengals offensive line vs. Aaron Donald
The cliché week in and week out in the National Football League is that there are no “bad” players – that they’re in the league “for a reason.” This is true. But there are differences within that talent, and it seems that the interior of the Cincinnati Bengals offensive line has run across some of the more top-tier talent than most in 2015.
This week is no different with St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
The second-year player out of Pittsburgh is already an All-Pro and is one of the more complete interior defensive linemen in the league – and cut from the similar cloth as the Bengals’ own Geno Atkins.
“He’s freaking good,” said Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler. “He is freaking good.”
He shook his head, searching for anything else to say.
Donald enters the week with seven sacks and 27 tackles, putting him on pace to surpass his totals from his rookie campaign. Which is saying something, considering he turned in a Pro Bowl and Rookie of the Year campaign with nine sacks and 37 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher both like to avoid comparing players, but even Donald couldn’t help but notice the similarities between himself and Atkins.
“I’ve watched him a lot,” Donald said of Atkins. “I wouldn’t say we’re the same type of player but I guess similar body types. We try to be, as a three-tech(nique), the same position he is, just try to be disruptive, that’s what our job is.”
So, what does that mean for the Bengals offensive line on Sunday?
“He’s has an ability to win in one-on-one matchups,” Lewis said. “When you get a defensive tackle like that, just like the kid down in Tampa (Gerald McCoy), it does give the rest of your group more opportunity.”
While having to practice against Atkins on a daily basis has helped Zeitler, fellow guard Clint Boling and center Russell Bodine prepare for Sundays, it doesn’t make the job against Donald any easier – especially because his impact, and how they handle him – creates a ripple effect out to tackles Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith.
Whitworth said the usual game plan would be to help out the tackles with an edge rusher the quality of St. Louis’ Robert Quinn, but Donald (like Atkins) won’t allow that because the double-team has to come inside.
“Aaron Donald is so good, it makes teams have to triple the inside and leave all three guys in there, and then you have a guy like Robert Quinn, who arguably, for what he does, is just as good as Aaron Donald,” Whitworth said. “So the truth is, if you look at the stats, they are the same player, so it’s just that Aaron Donald does it up the middle. It’s one of those things that those guys aren’t used to facing guys that good, so you have to help those guys out.”
Yes, the week-to-week assignments for the Bengals’ offensive line have been difficult, and are important. But considering the recent pressure from opponents and how good Donald is, Sunday could prove to be their toughest yet.
“He’s very, very strong,” Zeitler said. “He’s very quick. He’s very similar to Geno in build and what he is – he’s obviously – he’s good. He’s really good. He knows how to play the game and he wants to be great. It’s going to be one heck of a challenge, even more so than any other team this year. We knew that going into the season.”
November 27, 2015 at 1:41 pm #34767znModeratorMarvin Lewis on Gurley: ‘He’s a handful’
Few rookie running backs have set NFL defenses on fire as quickly as St. Louis’ Todd Gurley did given his first chance to shine – an Oct. 4 game in Arizona.
The rookie had made his debut the week prior against Pittsburgh, though he was given just six carries in his first action since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament on Nov. 16, 2014 while at the University of Georgia.
But on that date in Arizona the 6-foot, 1-inch, 226-pound runner broke out for 146 yards on just 19 carries, good for a 7.7 yards per carry average. It was the start of four consecutive games in which he averaged 6.4 yards per carry and rushed for 566 yards and three touchdowns.
“He’s good – explosive, strong young guy, runs through tackles, runs hard, keeps his legs working,” Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. “He’s going to be a good one. He’s a good player.”
Not coincidentally, the Rams won three of those four games to improve to 4-3 and climb back into the NFC playoff race.
But during the Rams’ recent three-game losing streak, Gurley has found the sledding a little tougher. He’s rushed for just 200 yards on his last 61 attempts (3.3 yards per carry).
That has coincided with the benching of quarterback Nick Foles and a passing game that has seen its production fall from 388 yards in the Rams last win on Nov. 1 to 213 last week in Baltimore.
“It’s a combination: It’s the revolving door that we’ve had by no choice of our own because of injuries up front and yeah, teams I think look at us as a one-dimensional offense,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said. “And then it’s about getting about getting the ball to Todd. We have to do more things down the field and get better on third down. That’s been a problem for us all year.
Guenther noticed that teams are more willing to bring eight defenders down around the line of scrimmage as the Rams passing game has struggled, but the Rams have countered it – meaning his defense has had some studying to do.
“Some teams are putting eight guys up in there. In my opinion you have to mix it up some,” Guenther said. “They do things to test the linebackers with all the fake reverses and all that stuff. It’s a little bit different of an offensive setup so we have to do things with a lot more run volume than we’ve seen.”
Part of that volume been created out of necessity – Fisher said his team has had to deal with a multitude of injuries on the offensive line. But that said, Gurley has proven he can be a difference maker.
“Well, they’ve had some injuries,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “I can tell what they do, and schematically they are doing a good job. Again, they give you some different looks. You have to stay disciplined to what they are doing. We’re going to be challenged that way, and we’re going to have to tackle this guy (Todd Gurley). He’s explosive, he has speed, has the ability to cut, and he’s strong. When you look at him, he’s a handful. We have to do a great job.”
November 27, 2015 at 9:23 pm #34785znModeratorPractice Report 11/27: Austin Thinking of Bailey, Plan at QB
Myles Simmons
As one Rams player put it Wednesday, wide receivers Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin are like two peas in a pod — clearly two of the closest players on the team. Both wideouts starred at West Virginia before the Rams brought them to St. Louis in the 2013 draft.
With that in mind, it’s been a tough week for Austin.
“It’s very difficult,” Austin said. “We’ve got to keep him in our prayers. I’m the one who is probably his closest brother on the team, just because we played together [in college.] But everybody feels the same.”
“He’ll be alright. He’s going to be good,” Austin added. “But it was rough, just seeing it, believing it. That’s the hardest part — just knowing the type of brother that you have. I’ve spent seven years of my life with him.”
While Austin has not been able to get in direct contact with Bailey, his teammate has not been far from his thoughts. And in a way to honor him, Austin said he’s going to speak with head coach Jeff Fisher about wearing a No. 12 jersey for the rest of the season.
“That’s our brother. Hopefully coach Fish will let me wear it in the game — I’m going to ask him — for the rest of the season,” Austin said. “But he always is going to be [with] us regardless — even if I can’t wear the jersey.”
Austin and Kenny Britt both sported No. 12 blue practice jerseys during Friday’s session.
“That’s nothing but support for our brother that we love. And we’re going to be there for him,” Britt said.
Fisher said it’s a gesture that makes sense, considering the closeness of the receiving unit as a whole.
“That’s cool. They love Sted,” Fisher said. “If we had enough jerseys to go around, everybody would’ve had a ‘12’ jersey on, including me. We just don’t have enough to go around.”
“The guys love Sted,” Fisher continued. “Sted’s a very popular player, a great teammate, very, very talented player. It’s unfortunate. We were a week away from him coming back in the building and getting ready to help us win.”
Fisher did provide a small update on Bailey’s condition, saying head trainer Reggie Scott had gone down to visit with him.
“Our doctors have talked to the attending physicians and the surgeons and he’s in stable condition right now,” Fisher said. “We’re just trying to gather more information right now. But, he’s in stable condition.”
And so while Austin’s focus has remained on trying to win a football game against Cincinnati this week, he plans on supporting Bailey as much as he can whenever he can once the season ends.
“I definitely know his strength,” Austin said. “He’s definitely going to pull through. The offseason, I might be right down there beside him. Pushing with him, getting him right back here beside me, and Kenny, and all of us. Whatever it takes, just to get him back.”
SUNDAY’S PLAN FOR QUARTERBACK
Fisher said Friday quarterback Case Keenum is still not through the concussion protocol, keeping him limited for the day’s practice and listed as questionable for Sunday. The current plan is for the club to continue to monitor Keenum over the next day, and then make a decision on who will start — Keenum or Nick Foles.
“Unless we get good news tomorrow, then Nick will be our starter,” Fisher said. “If [Keenum’s] completely cleared and he feels good, then he’ll start. But, as it is right now, it’s looking like we’re going to potentially have to go with Nick, which is great.”
If Keenum is not healthy to go, Fisher said he’s excited about Foles getting a chance to play.
“He seized the opportunity and he had a great week this week,” Fisher said. “So, loves the game plan and he’s ready to play. I think our offense understands where the challenges are and we need to score points. Nick’s excited about the opportunity if he plays.”
For his part, Foles said he’s stayed ready throughout the process.
“I’ve been preparing the same as I’ve always been,” Foles said. “If you’re going to play quarterback, you always have to prepare like you’re starting. Preparation hasn’t changed when I stepped back. You’re always ready to go if your number is called.”
Foles has split reps with Keenum throughout the practice week, and so he’s plenty familiar with what the Rams need to do offensively to combat the Cincinnati defense.
“I think the key to us is, it’s always staying inside the chains,” Foles said. “If we do get to third down, make sure it’s third-and-manageable. We’ve been in a lot of third and longs this year. So, staying inside the chains and doing a good job on first and second down. On the road, in the red zone you have to come away with touchdowns.”
And even though Foles is, in effect, acting as the backup, the Rams receivers are still familiar with the way he throws the ball.
“Whoever is in there can go and do the job,” Britt said. “We’ve got guys who are going to go out there and make plays for him. And whoever starts on Sunday, we’re going to be there for him.”
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Robert Quinn (hip/back), Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) did not practice and are all listed as questionable.
Keenum and kicker Greg Zuerlein (right groin) practiced on a limited basis and are also listed as questionable.
Offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee) did not participate all week and has been declared out.
November 27, 2015 at 10:27 pm #34786znModeratorAre Bengals facing Todd Gurley at the perfect time?
Marc Sessler
After falling short in a shootout to the Cardinals, the Bengals — coming off two straight losses — face a far less dynamic attack on Sunday in the form of the Rams.
St. Louis has slumped hard under the direction of new play-caller Frank Cignetti, Jr., sitting 31st league-wide in points and yardage per game and dead last both in passing yards and third-down percentage.
Still, the Rams can’t be counted out with running back Todd Gurley on the loose. The tackle-breaking, home-run hitter is a strong candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year — and Cincinnati’s primary focus heading into Week 12.
“He’s good — explosive, strong young guy, runs through tackles, runs hard, keeps his legs working,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, per The Cincinnati Enquirer. “He’s going to be a good one. He’s a good player.”
Said coach Marvin Lewis: “You have to stay disciplined to what they are doing. We’re going to be challenged that way, and we’re going to have to tackle this guy (Gurley). He’s explosive, he has speed, has the ability to cut, and he’s strong. When you look at him, he’s a handful. We have to do a great job.”
Teams have overtly stacked the box against Gurley and challenged the Rams to move the ball through the air with Case Keenum, the ineffectual passer who replaced the equally floundering Nick Foles. The extra attention on the ground game is a primary reason Gurley has been kept under 100 yards in three straight, but Guenther promised to mix it up.
“Some teams are putting eight guys up in there. In my opinion you have to mix it up some,” Guenther said. “They do things to test the linebackers with all the fake reverses and all that stuff. It’s a little bit different of an offensive setup so we have to do things with a lot more run volume than we’ve seen.”
The Bengals are facing Gurley at the perfect time. The Rams have never been more vanilla, while Guenther’s defense — after giving up 100 yards rushing in four straight — has held opponents to 77.7 yards per game over the past three weeks. That type of result against St. Louis would all but guarantee another Bengals win.
November 28, 2015 at 9:41 am #34791znModeratorPractice Report 11/27: Austin Thinking of Bailey, Plan at QB
By Myles Simmons
As one Rams player put it Wednesday, wide receivers Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin are like two peas in a pod — clearly two of the closest players on the team. Both wideouts starred at West Virginia before the Rams brought them to St. Louis in the 2013 draft.
With that in mind, it’s been a tough week for Austin.
“It’s very difficult,” Austin said. “We’ve got to keep him in our prayers. I’m the one who is probably his closest brother on the team, just because we played together [in college.] But everybody feels the same.”
“He’ll be alright. He’s going to be good,” Austin added. “But it was rough, just seeing it, believing it. That’s the hardest part — just knowing the type of brother that you have. I’ve spent seven years of my life with him.”
While Austin has not been able to get in direct contact with Bailey, his teammate has not been far from his thoughts. And in a way to honor him, Austin said he’s going to speak with head coach Jeff Fisher about wearing a No. 12 jersey for the rest of the season.
“That’s our brother. Hopefully coach Fish will let me wear it in the game — I’m going to ask him — for the rest of the season,” Austin said. “But he always is going to be [with] us regardless — even if I can’t wear the jersey.”
Austin and Kenny Britt both sported No. 12 blue practice jerseys during Friday’s session.
“That’s nothing but support for our brother that we love. And we’re going to be there for him,” Britt said.
Fisher said it’s a gesture that makes sense, considering the closeness of the receiving unit as a whole.
“That’s cool. They love Sted,” Fisher said. “If we had enough jerseys to go around, everybody would’ve had a ‘12’ jersey on, including me. We just don’t have enough to go around.”
“The guys love Sted,” Fisher continued. “Sted’s a very popular player, a great teammate, very, very talented player. It’s unfortunate. We were a week away from him coming back in the building and getting ready to help us win.”
Fisher did provide a small update on Bailey’s condition, saying head trainer Reggie Scott had gone down to visit with him.
“Our doctors have talked to the attending physicians and the surgeons and he’s in stable condition right now,” Fisher said. “We’re just trying to gather more information right now. But, he’s in stable condition.”
And so while Austin’s focus has remained on trying to win a football game against Cincinnati this week, he plans on supporting Bailey as much as he can whenever he can once the season ends.
“I definitely know his strength,” Austin said. “He’s definitely going to pull through. The offseason, I might be right down there beside him. Pushing with him, getting him right back here beside me, and Kenny, and all of us. Whatever it takes, just to get him back.”
SUNDAY’S PLAN FOR QUARTERBACK
Fisher said Friday quarterback Case Keenum is still not through the concussion protocol, keeping him limited for the day’s practice and listed as questionable for Sunday. The current plan is for the club to continue to monitor Keenum over the next day, and then make a decision on who will start — Keenum or Nick Foles.
“Unless we get good news tomorrow, then Nick will be our starter,” Fisher said. “If [Keenum’s] completely cleared and he feels good, then he’ll start. But, as it is right now, it’s looking like we’re going to potentially have to go with Nick, which is great.”
If Keenum is not healthy to go, Fisher said he’s excited about Foles getting a chance to play.
“He seized the opportunity and he had a great week this week,” Fisher said. “So, loves the game plan and he’s ready to play. I think our offense understands where the challenges are and we need to score points. Nick’s excited about the opportunity if he plays.”
For his part, Foles said he’s stayed ready throughout the process.
“I’ve been preparing the same as I’ve always been,” Foles said. “If you’re going to play quarterback, you always have to prepare like you’re starting. Preparation hasn’t changed when I stepped back. You’re always ready to go if your number is called.”
Foles has split reps with Keenum throughout the practice week, and so he’s plenty familiar with what the Rams need to do offensively to combat the Cincinnati defense.
“I think the key to us is, it’s always staying inside the chains,” Foles said. “If we do get to third down, make sure it’s third-and-manageable. We’ve been in a lot of third and longs this year. So, staying inside the chains and doing a good job on first and second down. On the road, in the red zone you have to come away with touchdowns.”
And even though Foles is, in effect, acting as the backup, the Rams receivers are still familiar with the way he throws the ball.
“Whoever is in there can go and do the job,” Britt said. “We’ve got guys who are going to go out there and make plays for him. And whoever starts on Sunday, we’re going to be there for him.”
INJURY REPORT
Defensive end Robert Quinn (hip/back), Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) did not practice and are all listed as questionable.
Keenum and kicker Greg Zuerlein (right groin) practiced on a limited basis and are also listed as questionable.
Offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee) did not participate all week and has been declared out.
November 28, 2015 at 11:06 pm #34814znModeratorA battle of defensive tackles and red zone production keys to Rams-Bengals
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Paul Brown Stadium. Here are three things to watch in that matchup:
1. Dueling D-tackles: In a normal week, we don’t put individual players on this list, especially ones that don’t actually face each other on a down-to-down basis but in this case we’ll make an exception for two of the elite 4-3 defensive tackles in the NFL in Cincinnati’s Geno Atkins and the Rams’ Aaron Donald. Both players were considered undersized coming out of college but have offered outsized production.
Donald leads the Rams with seven sacks and is aiming for his seventh game in a row against an AFC opponent with a sack. He’s been on a tear lately, too, even without end Robert Quinn there to help out.
Atkins also has seven sacks and a forced fumble to his name as he leads a defense that is tied for ninth in the NFL in sacks. And Atkins could really benefit from the Rams’ inexperience on the interior where guards Cody Wichmann and Demetrius Rhaney are making their second and first career NFL starts, respectively.
Whichever defensive tackle fares better won’t necessarily determine an outcome but it’ll be fun to watch regardless.
2. Strength vs. strength in the red zone: The Rams have made a habit this year of keeping teams out of the end zone when they manage to get deep in their territory. The Rams are second in the NFL in red zone defense, allowing a touchdown only 35.7 percent of the 28 opponent drives that have gone inside their 20-yard line.
Of course, the Rams haven’t faced an offense as productive as the Bengals when it comes to cashing in such opportunities. Cincinnati is second in the NFL in red zone efficiency, scoring a touchdown on 70 percent of their 40 trips inside the 20 this season. The Rams offense is probably going to have trouble scoring again this week (the Bengals defense is good in the red zone, too, tied for third in the league) so the St. Louis defense is going to have to be especially stingy when it comes to touchdowns if the Rams are going to keep this one close.
3. Rushing woes: Rams coach Jeff Fisher talked all week about getting the running game rolling again and how the offense will try different things to make that happen. It can start by simply blocking better but don’t be surprised to see a few new wrinkles, either.
The Bengals don’t have many weaknesses but if there’s one to be found, it could be in defending the run which might mean an uptick in production for Todd Gurley & Co. Cincinnati is 27th in the league in yards per carry allowed at 4.54 and it has struggled in allowing yards before contact as well, yielding 2.9 yards before contact per attempt. That could be dangerous against Gurley, who has the ability to break tackles after getting past the first line.
We know the Rams offense doesn’t have much firepower and we know opposing defenses are selling out to stop Gurley. But the reality is, the Rams passing game is nowhere near good enough to win a game when it’s been dared to do so. Which means Gurley and the Rams must find a way to get it going in a fairly favorable matchup.
November 29, 2015 at 1:21 am #34815znModerator7 things to watch: Rams vs. Bengals
Jim ThomasSt. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) celebrates his touchdown with his teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
RED RIFLE IS HAVING A CAREER YEAR
Bengals QB Andy Dalton started against St. Louis as a rookie in 2011, but for the vast majority of Rams, this will be their first time facing the two-time Pro Bowler. The former TCU star is in the midst of a career year with a passer rating of 104.0, 20 TDs, and just five INTs. His passer rating trails only Carson Palmer (108.6) and Tom Brady (107.4) in the NFL. With 262 yards against the Rams, he’ll join Peyton Manning as the only QBs in league history to throw for 3,000 yards-plus in each of their first five NFL seasons.
GREEN MEANS GO
When it comes to elite receivers, A.J. Green has been one of the league’s standard-bearers since taken fourth overall in 2011. He has made the Pro Bowl every year since entering the NFL, and is well on his way to a fifth Pro Bowl berth and a fifth 1,000-yard receiving season. His combination of size (6-4, 207), speed, and athleticism make him a matchup problem for all in the NFL. And it looks like the Rams will be minus one of their starting cornerbacks, Trumaine Johnson, with a thigh injury Sunday.
REST OF THE BUNCH
What makes the Bengals extra tough to defend is the multiple options in the passing game. Yes, Green remains the go-to guy, but the return to health of Marvin Jones has made it tougher for opposing defenses to gang up on Green. After missing the entire 2014 season with ankle and foot injuries, Jones has become a productive No. 2 receiver (39 for 515). Former Rutgers star Mohamed Sanu (6-2, 210) provides another big target. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals try to pick on Marcus Roberson, Johnson’s replacement.
THE EIFERT TOWER
Sorry Gronk, the best tight end in the NFL may be Tyler Eifert, an imposing target at 6-6, 250 who leads the league with 11 TD catches — already a single-season record for a Bengals TE. In case you haven’t noticed, the Rams have had trouble covering tight ends lately. Lesser lights Crockett Gillmore (five for 101) and Zach Miller (five for 107) have topped 100 yards receiving the past two weeks against them. Part of the problem could be that SS T.J. McDonald doesn’t appear to be moving as well after missing the Minnesota game with a foot injury.
MISSING QUINN
Although he’s listed as questionable with a hip/back injury, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn didn’t practice all week and it will be very surprising if he plays against the Bengals. The biggest issue among a series of injuries for Quinn is a back injury; in fact, it’s reaching the point where the Rams may consider shutting him down for the season. Although far from non-existent without him, the Rams’ pass rush simply doesn’t pack as much punch. Quinn hasn’t been the same since the Green Bay game Oct. 11.
GROUND TO A HALT
With defenses ganging up on Todd Gurley and injuries taking their toll on the offensive line, the running game hasn’t been nearly as effective lately. After averaging 141.5 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry in his first four NFL starts, Gurley has averaged only 66.7 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry in his last three outings. So basically, his production has been cut in half. The Rams have been working on some new wrinkles in their run game this week; we’ll see if they bear fruit against Cincinnati.
BATTLE OF THE “THREE-TECHS”
The Rams’ Aaron Donald and the Bengals’ Geno Atkins are arguably the game’s top “three-techniques,” the defensive tackle position that showcases quickness and penetration. With seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 24 QB pressures, Donald is on pace to have a better year statistically than in 2014, when he was NFL defensive rookie of the year. Atkins, a three-time Pro Bowler, has seven sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 10 QB hits. He’s a matchup challenge for sure against a Rams interior that starts Demetrius Rhaney and Cody Wichmann at guard.
November 29, 2015 at 1:27 am #34816znModeratorReeling Rams hope the slide stops now
Jim Thomas
Somewhere along the road from Minnesota to Cincinnati, the wheels have fallen off this Rams season. The shimmer of 4-3 and the team’s first winning record in November in nearly a decade is gone.
Absolutely crushing losses to Minnesota, Chicago, and Baltimore have the Rams staggering at 4-6 and suddenly bearing the all-too-familiar look of a team headed toward another losing season.
Most Rams fans know the milestone years by heart — all together now — no playoff berths since 2004 and no winning records since 2003.
“Big picture-wise, we have zero room for error now,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “The way the record is, we’ve made it extremely difficult on ourselves for big picture. But there’s no quit over here.”
But now with a supposedly “softer” portion of the schedule behind them, the Rams head into the teeth of two of the NFL’s elite. On Sunday, it’s the 8-2 Cincinnati Bengals in a noon kickoff (St. Louis time) at Paul Brown Stadium.
“It is definitely frustrating,” said tight end Lance Kendricks. “This team has been in this position a lot in the last few years — since I’ve been here. It’s more frustrating when you have the talent and you have the good players, and you have everything in place.
“But injuries to the offensive line and things like that, it hinders teams that are good. There’s nobody to blame, but I think we just need to find a way to win. That’s kind of where we’re lacking. We’re always in the game, but we just have to find ways to finish.”
Getting to the finish line will be tougher than ever these next two Sundays. Smarting from narrow losses back-to-back against Houston and Arizona, Cincy wants nothing more than to get well against the reeling Rams.
Then comes 8-2 Arizona, looking very much the part of Super Bowl contender these days. One of those two losses came to the Rams way back on Oct. 4, and if you don’t think Big Red coach Bruce Arians wants to avenge that 24-22 loss, well, you don’t know Bruce Arians.
Fleshing out the remaining schedule for 2015, supposed cupcakes Detroit and Tampa Bay are playing much better lately. That leaves road games at Seattle (Dec. 27) and at San Francisco (Jan. 3). The Seahawks, always tough to beat in the Pacific Northwest, look like they’re primed for a wild-card run.
So how many victories does that leave for Jeff Fisher’s Rams? Six? Seven? Can they find a way to eight?
As the Rams prepare for the stretch run, they are missing defensive end Robert Quinn with hip and back ailments. He’s the best player on the team not named Aaron Donald or Todd Gurley.
On the other side of the ball, the Rams’ offseason decision to go largely all-rookie on the offensive line appears to be backfiring in a big way. As the injuries mount, different collections of young and inexperienced blockers are assembled to pass protect and open holes in the running game.
This week, Cody Wichmann makes his second NFL start and Demetrius Rhaney makes his first. Cincinnati’s all-world defensive tackle, Gene Atkins, will try to make it an afternoon to remember for Wichmann and Rhaney, who will be manning the guard positions.
Whether it’s Nick Foles or the recently-concussed Case Keenum behind center, it doesn’t look like the team’s quarterback plan for 2015 will get a passing grade either when all is said and done. In a league where quarterbacks such as Cincy’s Andy Dalton can seemingly complete passes with their eyes closed, the Rams huff and puff to connect on the most basic of passes.
The league’s 32nd-ranked passing offense struggles to move the chains — it’s as if they’re 20 yards apart instead of 10. The Rams are averaging 173.9 yards per game in the air through 10 games this season. That’s on pace to be the lowest per-game average since the 1-15 Rams of Steve Spagnuolo averaged 167.9 yards per game in 2009.
And as dire as all that sounds, it almost pales in comparison to a myriad of off-field issues.
First and foremost, wide receiver Stedman Bailey remains in intensive care over the weekend after surgery for gunshot wounds in a drive-by shooting Tuesday in the Miami area.
The team wants to dedicate the season to Bailey. Teammate and longtime friend Tavon Austin wants to wear Bailey’s jersey No. 12 in his honor in games. Austin and wide receiver Kenny Britt wore No. 12 jerseys in practice Friday.
“That’s cool,” Fisher said. “They love Sted. If we had enough jerseys to go around, everybody would’ve had a 12 jersey on, including me.”
But it remains to be seen if the emotion of a tough week at Rams Park lifts the team to new heights or leaves the players overwrought and mentally drained against the Bengals.
This season already has seen two players — Bailey and reserve running back Trey Watts — suspended for violating NFL policy on substance abuse.
The day before the wrenching 16-13 loss at Baltimore, Fisher benched running back Tre Mason and rookie offensive tackle Isaiah Battle for missing the team bus to Lambert Airport.
Throw in the controversy over concussion protocol and the fact that Keenum stayed in the Baltimore game after banging his head and getting up groggy, and it’s difficult to imagine how anything else could go wrong.
“We’ve gotta stay together as a team,” Britt said after the Baltimore game. “If we don’t stay together, everything’s gonna fall apart. We’ve got a great coach. We’ve got great teammates. And I know we’re gonna pull through this.”
In the past under Fisher, the Rams have managed to follow tough losses to lesser foes with surprising upsets over elite teams. Maybe that happens Sunday against the Bengals or the following week against Arizona. Or maybe the Rams continue to tumble through the trap door in a season once full of playoff expectations.
If the Rams are to pull themselves back up, it must start with offense. With first downs, with third-down conversions, with red zone success — and yes, with completions.
“We just have to utilize us better,” Kendricks said. “I don’t know how to say that without it sounding bad, but we gotta utilize everybody. That’s part of a good offense. Good offenses, everyone gets used. You spread the ball out.
“Hopefully we can figure that out. I know we have issues up front. Once we figure that out, I think we’ll be all right. We just gotta keep hanging on.”
RAMS ADD A KICKER
Greg Zuerlein made the trip to Cincinnati but is questionable due to a groin injury, so the Rams added kicker Zach Hocker to the roster Saturday. Hocker began this season with New Orleans. The Rams cut tight end Justice Cunningham to make room for Hocker.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
