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December 2, 2015 at 8:29 pm #35056
znModeratorPractice Report 12/2: Back in the Division
Myles Simmons
After head coach Jeff Fisher shifted the practice schedule for the week so that the players’ day off came Tuesday, the Rams got back on the field Wednesday in preparation for the Cardinals.
Sunday’s game represents the second matchup between St. Louis and Arizona this year — the first coming back on Oct. 4 in the desert. That was one of the Rams’ better victories of the season, as the club won 24-22.
“I think we just know them very well,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “We see them twice a year and know exactly what they’re going to run — we know what to do to stop it. It’s just a matter of who can execute, and play faster, and make the big plays. When we played them last time, we were able to do that and get a takeaway, and capitalize on those things.”
St. Louis has played its best football within the division this year, going 3-0 in the first round of NFC West matchups. Fisher said it’s disappointing that the club has not performed as well in the rest of its games, but there are reasons why the Rams have beaten Arizona, Seattle, and San Francisco.
“We built this team to compete in the division. There’s familiarity,” Fisher said. “I’m disappointed that we haven’t played good football outside the division, but we have good matchups. We understand the matchups. We understand the challenges.”
There isn’t any one particular factor for the discrepancy in the team’s play, either.
“I can’t put my finger on it. If I could, we’d try to get that fixed and get this thing rolling,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “I think it’s just the way it is some years. It gets difficult at times, but you just have to keep working.”
“Honestly, it just comes down to us not finishing games this year,” Hayes said, adding there have been games that have come down to a very slim margin. “I just think us as a collective group — the players — we’re not doing a good job of finishing plays and doing the things we need to do to win these football games.”
Still, given the familiarity between the teams, there are some advantageous factors that come from facing a division rival for the second time.
“I think both teams are going to know each other better,” defensive end Chris Long said. “You have that tape where you have the exact same personnel and the same schemes, and it just helps a lot. It feels like yesterday you played them, and here they are again. And that’s just the way it goes in the division.”
And because the Rams won the first contest, wide receiver Tavon Austin said he feels the Cardinals will be particularly fired up to come to St. Louis.
“I’m thinking they’ll come with a different type of attitude,” Austin said. “Right now they have a great record and we’re trying to knock them off. That’s how it always goes. We’re coming with a good attitude, too. Keep battling and hopefully we get the win.”
“They’re a talented team, so they’re going to be ready to go,” Foles said. “They’re going to look at that film and try to do things better. It’s going to be a hard-fought game.”
Fisher had a similar assessment for the way Arizona will likely come into the Edward Jones Dome.
“Unfortunately for them, we were one of the two games that they lost,” Fisher said. “I’m sure that there’s extra motivation there in addition to their playoff run and trying to secure a home field advantage and all those kinds of things. But, we’re going to play. We’re going to play hard.”
MAN OF THE YEAR NOMINEE
Long has been noted for his strong play on the field for years. But this year, his work off of it is being recognized, too, as he’s been named the Rams’ 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is the only league honor recognizing a player for excellence on and off the field. Long has been especially remarkable this year for his work with Waterboys, the cornerstone initiative of the Chris Long Foundation, which raises funds to provide clean water wells in sub-Saharan Africa.
“[Football] has given me a platform, so if I don’t use it, I feel like I’m shorting myself and I’m shorting everybody else,” Long said Wednesday.
Hayes, who is one of Long’s closest friends on the team, said he’s happy his fellow defensive end’s extensive charity work is being recognized.
“It’s awesome,” Hayes said. “He’s got his Waterboys thing going, and he’s going 100 miles-an-hour with it. I’m proud of him. And it’s an honor to be named that because it just shows all the good work that you’re doing.”
“He works hard within the community, and it’s well deserved,” Hayes added.
To find out more about the award and how you can help Long win it, check out our full story in the link here.
INJURY UPDATE
At quarterback, Fisher said Case Keenum has not yet passed the concussion protocol and therefore is still limited in practice.
“He had good work Monday [and] yesterday. He was limited today. He feels good, but he’s still yet to be cleared,” Fisher said. “As you observed, Nick got most of the reps today and we’ll just kind of see how things go tomorrow.”
Though the situation is once again fluid at quarterback this week, Foles said the biggest difference between being named the starter and serving as the backup can be the practice reps.
“There is a little difference, but you prepare every week like you are the starter,” Foles said. “I know that’s a saying that a lot of us say, but you really try to do your best to prepare like you’re the starter. Got a lot of reps today and we’ll just see how the week goes.”
Elsewhere on the injury report, defensive end Robert Quinn (back), offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and kicker Greg Zurelein (right hip) all did not participate in the session.
And there was good news on the injury front, as right tackle Rob Havenstein returned to practice as a full participant. Fisher said Monday Havenstein has a good chance to get back to the starting lineup this week.
December 2, 2015 at 9:42 pm #35059znModeratorEarly preview: Rams vs. Cardinals
Joe Lyons
COMING THIS WEEK
The reeling Rams, 4-7 and losers in their last four outings, will square off with the hottest team outside of undefeated Carolina when they face the Arizona Cardinals (9-2) in a noon game Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. Arizona gutted out a 19-13 win at San Francisco on Sunday and has won five in a row and six of its last seven.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. In his 12th NFL season, the 32-year-old Fitzgerald shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. On Sunday, he caught 10 passes for 66 yards while surpassing a pair of league legends. With 13,143 career receiving yards, he passed Hall of Famer Steve Largent and moved into 16th place on the all-time list and with 992 career catches as he moved to No. 12, passing future Hall of Famer Randy Moss as well as current 49ers’ wideout Anquan Boldin.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Fitzgerald has 83 catches for 992 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
HE SAID IT
“It was just a fight,’’ Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer said after the Cardinals won at San Francisco for the first time since 2008. “That was an NFC West fight. And that’s what we’re going. Being on top the way we are, we’re going to get everybody’s best shot.’’
Palmer, who struggled at times Sunday, scored the go-ahead TD on an 8-yard run with 2:28 to play. It was just the eighth scoring run of his career and his first since 2008. With the win, the Cardinals have a three-game lead atop the NFC West.
INJURIES
Rams coach Jeff Fisher is hopeful that QB Case Keenum (concussion), DE Robert Quinn (hip/back), tackle Rob Havenstein (calf), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (thigh) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (groin) can make it back to the practice field at some point this week.
In the third quarter of Sunday’s road game, the Cardinals lost cornerback Jerraud Powers (calf) and running backs Chris Johnson (knee) and Andre Ellington (foot) to injury. On Monday, Johnson, a prime candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, learned that he’d broken his tibia and would be out indefinitely. The Cardinals played Sunday without defensive linemen Frostee Rucker (ankle), Cory Redding (ankle) and Ed Stinson (groin).
SERIES HISTORY
The Rams, who trail 37-35-2 in the series, snapped a three-game losing streak against the Cardinals with a 24-22 win on Oct. 4 at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams set the tone early in the Week 4 contest as Mark Barron knocked the ball away from the Cardinals’ David Johnson on the opening kickoff and teammate Daren Bates recovered at the Arizona 17 to set up a 12-yard TD pass from Nick Foles to Tavon Austin. The visiting Rams held the lead the rest of the way, limiting the Cardinals to five field goals and a TD pass with 4:38 to play.
December 3, 2015 at 1:17 am #35063znModeratorNope, Arians still doesn’t like Rams
Jim Thomas
Bruce Arians played nice Wednesday on his conference call with reporters in St. Louis.
He talked about how he has been going against Rams coach Jeff Fisher and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for a long time, and how the Rams have a great coaching staff.
“I respect the heck out of them,” Arians added. “It’s been a great game every time we’ve played since we got here. It’s a big division game.”
That’s called laying it on a little thick. By now we all know better from Arians, the crusty, straight-shooting coach of the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals.
Following the Cardinals’ hard-fought 19-13 victory over San Francisco this past Sunday, Arians said the Big Red must now get ready to play “that team we don’t like.” And he was up to his usual high jinks talking to Arizona reporters Wednesday, when he again talked about his dislike of the Rams.
“I’ll have dinner with ’em, but I ain’t liking ’em,” Arians said. “I ain’t drinking with ’em.”
OK, part of this is pure showmanship. But you also get the feeling that Arians probably won’t be exchanging Christmas cards with Fisher later this month. Then again, that’s what division rivalries are supposed to be like.
Does it hurt the Rams’ feelings that Arians doesn’t like them?
“No,” tight end Lance Kendricks said, laughing. “It’s motivation for both sides.”
“If they don’t like us, that’s perfectly OK,” linebacker James Laurinaitis added.
The Arians barbs were more pointed last Dec. 11 after a hard-fought 12-6 Arizona victory in a Thursday night game at the Edward Jones Dome.
“Everybody wanted to say how great their defense is, but I think they saw a good defense tonight, and it was in red and white,” Arians said at the time.
The Rams were coming off back-to-back shutouts entering that game, so their defense was receiving some hype.
“I love it when nobody says that you will have a chance to win,” Arians said after the game. “There is an 11-3 team, and a team that is always 8-8. You figure it out.”
The 8-8 remark is a now-familiar shot at Fisher’s résumé, and it’s one that the Rams’ coach not surprisingly doesn’t like. Even so, he has steered clear of any war of words with Arians and the Cardinals. And Wednesday was no different.
“I think we’ve got a rivalry going in the division with all three teams,” Fisher said. “I wouldn’t go as far as to say we don’t like them. We respect them and they play hard. We greeted (Arians) when the game’s over.
“Unfortunately for them, we were one of the two games that they lost.”
OK, maybe a slight jab there by Fisher. That was a reference to the Rams’ 24-22 victory at Arizona on Oct. 4, only the fourth loss by Arians in 21 games at University of Phoenix Stadium.
“I’m sure that there’s extra motivation there in addition to their playoff run and trying to secure a home-field advantage and all those kinds of things,” Fisher continued. “But we’re going to play; we’re going to play hard.”
Arizona (9-2) can’t clinch a playoff berth with a victory Sunday in St. Louis, but it can guarantee a 12th consecutive non-winning season for the Rams (4-7).
Amazingly, the Rams are unbeaten against the NFC West this season (3-0), but just 1-7 against the rest of the NFL. Although not quite so lopsided, that’s been the way it has gone since Fisher got here in 2012. The Rams are 10-10-1 against the NFC West, one of football’s toughest divisions in recent years, but 14-24 against everybody else.
“We built this team to compete in the division,” Fisher said. “There’s familiarity. I’m disappointed that we haven’t played good football outside the division, but we have good matchups (in the division). We understand the matchups. We understand the challenges.”
With hopes for a playoff berth all but extinguished, and the prospect of another losing season looming unmistakably on the horizon, that 3-0 record against the division is about all the Rams have to hang their hat on these days.
And to some Rams, this season is more about what the Rams haven’t done outside the division, than what they have done inside it.
“Honestly, it just comes down to us not finishing games this year,” defensive end William Hayes said. “You could put your finger on three games and say that it could’ve been a coin toss, it could’ve went either way.
“And that’s the big thing. I don’t think it has nothing to do with Coach (Fisher). I just think us as a collective group — the players — we’re not doing a good job of finishing plays and doing the things we need to do to win these football games.”
The three games Hayes was referring to were losses to Pittsburgh (12-6), Minnesota (21-18, in overtime), and Baltimore (16-13).
“You win those three games, now you’re talking about us being a wild-card team,” Hayes said. “And all this stuff that’s been going on in the media (about Fisher’s job security) is not even being mentioned.”
Those three games — Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Baltimore — are the difference between 4-7 and 7-4.
“Exactly,” Hayes.
And the difference between two teams headed in opposite directions — the Cardinals have won five straight; the Rams have lost four in a row.
“We know what our challenges are,” Laurinaitis said. “We know that they have an unbelievable offense. They obviously have a couple backs out. They’re gonna come in here probably thinking they can throw it all around. Nobody’s gonna give us a chance to win.”
Probably not. Not even with feature back Chris Johnson (knee, leg) definitely out and third-down back Andre Ellington (turf toe) not expected to play Sunday for the Big Red.
December 3, 2015 at 9:43 pm #35078znModeratorPractice Report 12/3: Replicating Gurley’s Success, Foles to Start at QB
Myles Simmons
In Week 4, running back Todd Gurley made his first pro start against the Cardinals in Arizona. St. Louis’ ground game had not been particularly effective in the first three contests, but head coach Jeff Fisher continued to say the club was close to breaking out.
All that came to fruition in the second half of St. Louis’ 24-22 victory, as Gurley ran for 144 yards in the third and fourth quarters, including runs of 52, 30, 23, and 20 yards. The running back also slid down in the final period instead of running in for what would have been his first NFL touchdown, allowing the Rams to keep the ball and kill the clock.
But even after all that, Gurley said the most memorable part of the game was just coming away with a victory.
“Hopefully, we can get that again and be undefeated in the division,” Gurley said Thursday.
That first Arizona contest started a string of four straight games of at least 125 yards rushing for the rookie out of Georgia. But lately, Gurley’s numbers have gone down. Last week, Gurley had only nine carries for 19 yards.
Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said the team would like to get Gurley more carries this weekend in order to kick start the rushing attack again.
“Hopefully like last time, you continue to get better throughout the game,” Cignetti said.
“We had a slow first half against the Cardinals, then we had a big second half,” Fisher said. “We’ve looked hard at it. We just have to continue to give him opportunities. So, we’ll get creative in the run game, and got to get hats on hats, and let him go.”
But the Cardinals will be revved up to slow Gurley down. Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu said this week Arizona may have let up just a bit in the second half of that October matchup, based on how the game had gone through the first two quarters.
“For some reason in the second half, we just didn’t play our assignments the proper way — getting out of gaps, just creating these large running lanes for Gurley to run through,” Mathieu said. “Obviously, any time you have a running back with his type of ability, any type of open field, it’s a good deal. So, we have to do a better job of constricting running lanes and definitely having more than one person trying to tackle him.”
It’s also been a while since Gurley broke off a long run, as his last rush of at least 20 yards was his 71-yard touchdown against San Francisco on Nov. 1.
“You don’t point your finger at one thing,” Cignetti said. “First off, you give defenses credit. Defenses have done a very nice job. We’re going to continue to give him at bats. The big ones will come.”
But don’t think the decreased production is because of a so-called “rookie wall.”
“What wall?” Gurley replied to that inquiry. “I’m good.”
“He’s in great shape right now,” Fisher said, later adding, “He’s not frustrated. He’s a team guy. He’s having fun, wants to help us win. He knows he’s a big part of this team. His production on the field not only helps offense, it helps defense, it helps everything. He’s in good shape.”
One aspect that may help the ground game pick up is the likely return of right tackle Rob Havenstein to the starting lineup. The rookie offensive lineman has missed three of the last four games due to injury, but Havenstein said Thursday he’s getting back to 100 percent.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Havenstein said. “Our training staff has been doing an excellent job with me and communicating with everyone, and been on the same page. I’m giving my all to get back out there.”
“It’s great getting Rob back,” Cignetti said. “He’s smart, tough, physical. He’s making tremendous progress every day, every game.”
With the myriad injuries across the offensive line, Gurley and the unit have had to make adjustments based on who is out there.
“Same schemes at the end of the day. One man goes down, another man has to step up. It is what it is,” Gurley said. “Rob’s a great player. But, like I said, whoever is in there, we feel confident and we’re going to try and get the job done. Rob is a great player, so definitely happy to have him back.”
According to Havenstein, the key to replicating the success the Rams had against the Cardinals in their first meeting is fairly simple.
“It’s just staying on our blocks and giving Todd a chance,” Havenstein said. “He’s going to do special things. He’s that type of player, that type of back, and the way he works in practice is unbelievable. All we have to do is our job — whatever your job is on that play, just do your job and just give Todd a chance to make a play.”
If the Rams can do that, they’ll have a great chance to win on Sunday.
FOLES TO START ON SUNDAY
With quarterback Case Keenum still going through the concussion protocol, Fisher said Nick Foles would be the team’s starting signal-caller against Arizona this week.
“It’s part of the protocol, we’re just evaluating [Keenum],” Fisher said. “All the tests with the neurologists and things are OK. It’s just about him feeling 100 percent.”
If Keenum is feeling ready to go on Friday, Fisher said the quarterback could be the backup for Sunday. If not, that role would once again fall to rookie Sean Mannion.
“He’s got a chance to be a [No.] two this week, particularly because he’s missed two days of practice,” Fisher said. “What we’re hoping for is whether he’s a two or just inactive. So, Nick’s going.”
While it won’t be for this week, when Keenum is good to go, Fisher reiterated the Houston product will once again be the team’s starter.
INJURY REPORT
There were no changes from Wednesday to Thursday on the injury report.
Robert Quinn (back), Andrew Donnal (knee), Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and Greg Zuerlein (right hip) did not practice. Keenum (concussion) was able to practice on a limited basis. And Rob Havenstein was a full participant in Thursday’s session.
December 4, 2015 at 2:02 am #35090znModeratorRams want to get Gurley, running game, out of doldrums
Jim Thomas
Few rookies regardless of position have opened their NFL careers with the impact Todd Gurley did for the Rams this season. The numbers and the milestones are familiar to most.
First rookie in league history with 125 yards-plus rushing in his first four starts.
More yards rushing in his first four starts than any NFL player in the Super Bowl era.
Gurley was the NFL’s offensive rookie of the month for October. He got that Jolly Ranchers endorsement. He was heralded by analysts and media members across the land.
In short, he was the next big thing. Just like that.
But after that amazing start, the yardage and highlight-reel runs have dried up.
In his first four starts, Gurley averaged 142 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry. That period encompassed starts against Arizona, Green Bay, Cleveland and San Francisco, with the Rams going 3-1 in those contests.
But in Gurley’s next four starts, his production has been more than cut in half. Namely, 55 yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry. The Rams are 0-4 in those games against Minnesota, Chicago, Baltimore and Cincinnati.
Thanks in part to the work of wide receiver Tavon Austin on end-arounds and jet sweeps, the Rams still rank seventh in the league in rushing offense entering Sunday’s rematch with Arizona.
But for the most part, the bottom has fallen out of the running game as teams load the box with extra defenders to swarm Gurley, and the Rams’ injury-plagued offensive line goes through one combination after another.
“He’s not frustrated,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s a team guy. He’s having fun. Wants to help us win. He knows he’s a big part of this team. His production on the field not only helps offense, it helps defense, it helps everything.”
A decline in explosive plays has coincided with the decline in production for Gurley. The Rams define an explosive run as a carry gaining 10 yards or more. In his first four starts Gurley had 15 such explosive runs, including gains of 30, 48, 54, 55 and 71 yards.
In his next four starts, Gurley has had only two such runs — on gains of 13 and 16 yards Nov. 8 at Minnesota. He hasn’t had a run longer than nine yards in the three games since then.
“It’s execution,” Gurley said. “Doing what we’ve got to do. Taking the right steps, taking the right track, whether it’s getting a double block or a triple, (or) single. Just basically execution.”
Obviously, the line injuries haven’t helped. Beginning with the first game in the current losing streak — Minnesota — Gurley has failed to reach 100 yards. Beginning with that contest, the Rams have featured a different starting combination up front for four consecutive weeks.
Starting right guard Jamon Brown was lost for the season Nov. 15 against Chicago. Starting right tackle Rob Havenstein has missed three of the past four games with what has been described as ankle and calf injuries. Even one of the replacements on the line, Andrew Donnal, is out with a knee injury.
“It’s just staying on our blocks and giving Todd a chance,” said Havenstein, who could return to the lineup this week. “Because he’s gonna do special things. He’s just that type of player, that type of back.”
The Rams tweaked the running game to a degree against Cincinnati. Among the new wrinkles was the Wildcat formation in which Gurley lined up in the shotgun formation behind center with quarterback Nick Foles split out like a wide receiver.
In two plays out of the Wildcat, the Rams got 60 yards on a Gurley handoff to Austin, and later got a modest three yards on a Gurley keeper. Gimmick plays can help to a degree, but only for a few plays.
They can’t solve deeper problems, such as not opening enough holes with a greener-than-green offensive line. Or not showing enough prowess in the passing game to keep defenses honest and get them to back off the line of scrimmage.
“We’ve looked hard at it,” Fisher said. “We just gotta continue to give him opportunities. So we’ll get creative in the run game, and gonna get hats on hats and let him go.”
“It takes all 11,” offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said Thursday. “One, we’ve got to get him at-bats, get him carries. Through four quarters of it, we impose our will. Hopefully like last time, you continue to get better throughout the game.”
That was a reference to Gurley’s first NFL start, Oct. 4 at Arizona. As a team, the Rams had only nine yards rushing on nine carries in the first half — a half in which Arizona had a 2-to-1 edge in time of possession.
Things started out slowly in the third quarter on the ground, but the Rams stayed with the running game and suddenly things started clicking. Gurley had runs of 23 and 12 yards on a third quarter touchdown drive; then had runs of 12 and 52 yards on a fourth-quarter TD march. When all was said and done, he finished with 19 carries for 146 yards in a 24-22 upset victory.
Gurley had only nine carries (for 19 yards) in last week’s 31-7 blowout loss in Cincinnati, a game where the Rams fell behind by such a big margin they had to basically junk the running game for much of the second half.
This is normally the time of the long NFL season when all rookies, much less those coming off surgery like Gurley, can hit the wall. But Gurley would have none of it.
“What wall?” he said. “I’m good.”
The only wall he’ll face will be the one the Big Red plan to throw at him in his first rematch game against a division opponent. And that could be a formidable one.
December 5, 2015 at 12:17 am #35118znModeratorPractice Report 12/4: Defending an Explosive Offense
Myles Simmons
Since head coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer arrived, the Cardinals’ offense has been known for its ability to create explosive plays. This season, Arizona leads the league with 57 plays of at least 20 yards — 49 via pass and eight via run. With those numbers, Palmer is No. 1 in both yards per attempt (8.8) and yards per completion (13.8).
Arizona’s penchant for explosive plays can be a challenge for any team to defend, and will be for the Rams on Sunday.
“We’ve had a couple of really big time offenses we’ve had to go against this year and I’m looking forward to our opportunity again this year,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said after Friday’s practice. “Our guys understand the personnel because it’s within our division. They understand that aspect of it. So now, it’s going out and understanding leverage, understanding space, what they’re trying to do, where they’re trying to create their opportunity to move the ball. Can our guys defend it? We’ll see.”
Palmer in particular is playing quite well leading the offense. He’s completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 3,337 yards with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His 7.1 percent touchdown rate also tops the NFL.
“I’ve been very impressed with how accurate of a thrower he is,” Williams said. “He’s done a very good job of moving around, buying extra time. If he has a concept in mind that he wants to do — boom — he goes ahead and does it. He’s done a very good job on being consistent.”
“Carson, to me, you look back at last year at what happened once he got hurt, where they went — Drew Stanton tried to do a good job to carry the ship, but they’re just not the same without Carson out there,” linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “He’s playing at a very high level. I have a lot of respect for him.”
Undoubtedly Arians is a significant factor in Palmer’s success. It’s the third season the two have worked together in the desert, and Arians said this week Palmer is playing as well as anyone he’s ever coached.
“The guy is a workaholic,” Arians said. “He knows how he learns. I think we’ve all learned how he learns, so we can teach him better. That’s why the growing pains when you get an older quarterback and you have to learn really how he learns. I think now we’ve got a system in place where he’s prepared every ball game, and it’s get the other 10 guys around him on the same page with him.”
But the key to getting to that point with a coach and quarterback, according to Arians, is having a great sense of trust.
“You have to have communication every day because you’re tied at the hip,” Arians said. “Your job is depending on him. You’ve got to have trust in a relationship, whether it’s honesty going back and forth and accountability back and forth.”
The kind of season Palmer is having does soften the blow of losing starting running back Chris Johnson to a fractured tibia. Johnson was placed on IR with a designation to return a few days ago after suffering the injury against San Francisco in Week 12. Fellow running back Andre Ellington has already been declared out for Sunday’s matchup with turf toe. And so rookie David Johnson is likely to be the first man up in the backfield this weekend.
“David is more than ready,” Arians said. “When Andre was hurt, he played a bunch in the previous game, although it wasn’t his best game. We feel very confident he’s more than ready.”
A third-round pick out of Northern Iowa, David Johnson leads the team with eight total touchdowns. The rookie caught four passes for 63 yards — including a 23-yard touchdown — and had 18 yards rushing on three carries when the Rams faced the Cardinals in October.
“He played well and got all of our attention the last time we played them,” Williams said. “Our guys have a lot of respect for him. He’s very powerful. He’s got some shiftiness to him when he needs to. But, he’s a very good receiver in the passing game too. Not only does he do everything they want in the running game, but when you put the ball in his hands, he’s made some big plays in the passing game. I don’t think they’re going to miss a beat.”
“Earlier in the year when we played them, they used him a lot — kind of in their empty third down stuff,” Laurinaitis said. “He runs a lot of routes for them in their no-back stuff.”
No matter who is at running back, the Cardinals are likely to move the ball and score points. That’s why clamping down and playing strong red-zone defense — like the Rams played the last time these two teams squared off — will be of particular importance in Sunday’s contest.
“We spend an inordinate amount of time in the red zone also throughout the course of the week. Learned that a long time ago,” Williams said. “We’ve got to take the ball away. Got to play stout against the run, but you’ve got to do a great job in the red zone, got to do a great job on third down.”
“When you’re playing an offense like this, I mean, field goals are wins,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said. “We’ve said that before. Field goals are wins for your defense. We have to get off the field on occasion on third down. We keep Carson on their sideline, then we have a chance.”
INJURY REPORT
As Fisher said on Thursday, the Rams will start Nick Foles at quarterback against Arizona. Case Keenum was limited once again in Friday’s practice, and is listed as questionable for the game.
“We’ll see how he is tomorrow and make a decision on whether he’s [No.] two or [No.] three [at quarterback],” If he’s two, he’s been completely cleared and ready to play. If he’s two, he’s two because he’s been cleared, one, and two, he hasn’t had sufficient reps to practice during the week.”
If Keenum is inactive, then Sean Mannion would serve as the backup quarterback.
Elsewhere on the injury report, right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf) is probable. Offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee) is out. Greg Zuerlein (right hip), Trumaine Johnson (thigh), and Robert Quinn (back) are all listed as doubtful.
Quinn’s injury has had plenty of ripple effects along the D-line, as it would for any team missing a player who recorded a franchise season record for sacks. But Fisher gave plenty of credit to Eugene Sims, who has started in Quinn’s stead.
“We miss him, but Eugene’s playing well out there and the other guys are rushing hard,” Fisher said. “[Quinn’s] a difference maker. He’s one of those guys that can change the game at any point in the game. So, definitely, we miss him, but as most teams miss their Pro Bowl quality players.”
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald did say this week it seems like teams are paying him a little more attention on the inside in Quinn’s absence.
“A lot more double teams — not much I can do about that but just keep playing,” Donald said. “Anytime you lose a playmaker it’s going to be tough. He’s a guy that’s a leader and makes a lot of plays for us. Other guys just have to step up, continue to do what we’ve been doing.”
“It’s impossible to replace Robert,” Laurinaitis said. “The duo of Aaron’s quickness inside and Robert’s speed rush — if Robert gets around the corner the quarterback has to step up and Aaron is in his face. If Aaron gets pressure up the middle, the quarterback has to flush out and Robert is there to get him. It’s such a deadly combo that when you miss one half of it, it affects the whole rotation, and snaps, and all that as well. Hopefully, we get Rob back soon.”
December 5, 2015 at 9:25 am #35123znModeratorRams notes: Key players could again be out vs. Cardinals
Joe Lyons
It appears the Rams will again be without defensive end Robert Quinn, cornerback Trumaine Johnson and kicker Greg Zuerlein when they take on the red-hot Arizona Cardinals at noon Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
The team’s Friday injury report listed Quinn (back), Johnson (thigh) and Zuerlein (right hip) as doubtful for the NFC West showdown. In NFL terms, doubtful means there is just a 25 percent chance of playing Sunday.
None of the three players practiced this week.
Quinn, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, started the season’s first seven games, sat a week and then saw limited action against Chicago. He was inactive for recent games at Baltimore and at Cincinnati. Sixth-year pro Eugene Sims has been filling in for Quinn.
Johnson, in the midst of perhaps his best season, was injured on an interception return in Baltimore and did not play in last week’s 31-7 road loss to the Bengals. Marcus Roberson, a second-year pro, stepped in against Baltimore and started in the Cincinnati game.
Zuerlein suffered a strained hip flexor a couple of days before the Cincinnati game. A day before that contest, the team signed free agent kicker Zach Hocker, a University of Arkansas product who began the season with the New Orleans Saints.
Zuerlein “did not kick (Friday), so it’ll probably be a game-time decision,’’ Rams coach Jeff Fisher said after Friday’s workout at Rams Park. “Zach kicked well, kicked off well (Friday), so we’ll see.’’
Quarterback Case Keenum was limited in practice Friday and still has not cleared the concussion protocol. He’s listed as questionable, which is 50-50.
On Thursday, Fisher named Nick Foles as the starter at quarterback.
Tackle Rob Havenstein, the team’s second-round draft pick last May, went through another full workout Friday and is listed probable. Havenstein started the first seven games at right tackle but has sat out three of the last four games with a calf injury.
Offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday.
The 9-2 Cardinals, who enter Sunday’s action riding a five-game winning streak and holding a three-game lead in the NFC West, have ruled out RB Andre Ellington (toe), CB Jerraud Powers (calf) and DT Frostee Rucker (ankle), with DT Cory Redding (ankle) doubtful. WR Michael Floyd (hamstring) is questionable.
THUMBS-UP FOR ODOM
Rams center Tim Barnes, who played at the University of Missouri from 2006-2009, thinks his alma mater made a wise choice in hiring another ex-Tiger, Barry Odom, to take over for Gary Pinkel as the Tigers’ next football coach.
“I like it. Not really that surprised since Pinkel helped with the search and likes to promote from within,’’ the fourth-year pro said. “You know that Odom was probably going to be a head coach somewhere this year, so why not Mizzou? I know him personally; he’s a good guy and I’m excited for him.’’
Barnes continued: “You want to keep good people in the program, especially when they have good track records. (Odom) hasn’t been here the whole time. He left and went to Memphis and had success there before coming back. Seems like (Memphis) wanted him back, so I think it’s a good choice by Missouri.’’
GOLDEN SHINES
Drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of last spring’s draft, former Affton High and Mizzou standout Marcus Golden had played in all 11 games and made three starts at linebacker for Arizona this season.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Golden has 24 tackles, including three for loss. He leads the Cardinals with 13 quarterbacks hits, is second with 2½ sacks and is tied for second with 11 quarterback pressures. He’s also forced a fumble this season.
“I love him,’’ Arizona free safety Tyrann Mathieu said earlier in the week. “I love his energy, I love his passion. He’s getting to the quarterback for us; that’s something we definitely need to keep improving on. We need some other guys to step up and get to the quarterback. Marcus is doing a great job. To say he’s a rookie and he has to learn so much, he’s doing a great job just making football plays.’’
NFL PUNT, PASS & KICK
Before Sunday’s game with the Cardinals, qualifiers age 6-15 from throughout Missouri and Illinois will compete in the NFL Pass, Punt & Kick competition. The action begins at 8 a.m. in five age divisions for boys and girls, with the top scorer in each age group crowned team champion and eligible for the national championships to be held at Colts vs. Titans game on Jan. 3, 2016.
All competitors will be recognized during Sunday’s pregame.
NFL Punt, Pass & Kick began in 1961 and is the nation’s largest grassroots sports skills competition. Among those who’ve participated are Hall of Fame quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Dan Marino.
MESSAGE FROM BAILEY
On Friday, Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey issued a message via Twitter:
To my entire Rams family, especially my teammates, fans and peers, I thank you so much for your continued prayers and support. My recovery has been nothing short of a miracle (a work of God) and I can only give God the praise, glory and honor for what he is doing in my life at this time. Christmas is a holiday in which Jesus was born as a gift to the world but in all honesty, he has given me and my family a gift which is far greater than what any man can give, a restoration of my life and health. I will continue to get better day by day until I’m able to get back on the field and I ask for your continued prayers.
Love, Stedman Bailey.
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