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znModeratorSour homecoming for Fisher
Jim Thomas
NASHVILLE, TENN. • The Jeff Fisher video tribute came early in the first quarter. The applause was loud and heartfelt, with some in the crowd at Nissan Stadium standing in appreciation of the 16 years Fisher led the Tennessee franchise as head coach.
Fisher said Thursday he wouldn’t look at the scoreboard — he’d be too busy coaching. But when it happened Sunday, Fisher heard the applause, peeked at the scoreboard and waved to the fans.
“I have to extend my appreciation to the entire Titan organization for honoring me like they did,” Fisher said afterward. “It was moving.”
It was a true warm and fuzzy moment. Then the Tennessee Titans went about the business of beating in the brains of the Rams in a nationally televised preseason game that ended in a 27-14 defeat for St. Louis.
“Football-wise, we played like we hadn’t played in 10 days,” Fisher said. “I felt like we were a little sloppy. Got some unnecessary penalties. We kept it basic, and that’s not an excuse. You’ve still got to play better. … We’ve got some work to do this week.”
The Rams couldn’t block, couldn’t tackle and couldn’t score in the first half against the Titans. They even had trouble punting and kicking, with Pro Bowler Johnny Hekker shanking a punt for 23 yards and Greg Zuerlein sending a 53-yard field goal wide right.
“In the preseason, you really just continue to grow together, working together, seeing different things, different looks,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “It’s one of those things where all of these are learning opportunities. You can’t take it too hard.”
Maybe so, but while the Rams were stumbling, the Titans were blocking, tackling and scoring. Not to mention intercepting. On Foles’ second pass of the evening, he threw a “pick 6” to cornerback Perrish Cox, the former 49er.
Foles stared down his target on the play, and there appeared to be some confusion on the route by wide receiver Kenny Britt. The result was a 24-yard return by Cox for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead for the Titans with 8 minutes, 3 seconds left in the opening quarter.
Britt needed to flatten out the route. But Foles blamed himself, saying he needed to throw the ball away in that situation.
The Titans proceeded to score on three of their next four possessions to take a 20-0 halftime lead. First came a Ryan Succop field goal on a drive sparked by a 35-yard reception to tight end Craig Stevens — whom no one on the Rams’ defense bothered to pick up.
Then came a 3-yard TD reception by former Missouri star tight end Chase Coffman, on a fastball squeezed between two Rams defenders by strong-armed backup QB Zach Mettenberger.
A missed tackle by cornerback Marcus Roberson, who has moved up to the fourth corner role following E.J. Gaines’ season-ending foot injury, turned what should’ve been a 7-yard gain by Hakeem Nicks into a 40-yard advance on the drive.
To close out the half, Mettenbeger led the Titans on a 43-yard field goal march, a drive that included three catches for 32 yards by former Mizzou star wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.
Foles and the Rams’ starting offense were on the field for four series but managed only 37 yards. All told, Foles completed three of seven passes for 18 yards and a meager passer rating of 10.7.
“Tonight, we needed to get the ball in the end zone,” Foles said. “We didn’t do our job. We need to get some points on the board but it’s one of those things where there’s a lot we can learn from. Everything out here is fixable, and we can fix it.”
Fisher wanted to run the ball better Sunday, but Tre Mason, Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead combined for only 33 yards on 12 carries in the first half. Once again, first-round draft pick Todd Gurley warmed up before the game but did not play. Fisher said last week that Gurley would not play in the preseason while he finishes up his rehab from knee surgery at the University of Georgia.
In the first quarter, the Rams were outgained 100 yards to 28. And by halftime it was almost as lopsided, with the Titans amassing 226 yards and 13 first downs to the Rams’ 84 yards and four first downs.
When asked about the play of the starting defensive unit, end Chris Long replied: “Not good enough. Not sharp enough. A couple of people were out of gaps. A couple of things we need to fix. They’re not big deal issues, but we need to fix them ad that’s what preseason is for.”
You can talk all you want about the meaning of preseason games, and that it’s foolish not to read too much into what transpires. But two games into the preseason, the Rams haven’t been close to competitive against Oakland and Tennessee franchises that were near the bottom of the league in 2014.
That was particularly the case in the first half against Tennessee, when almost all of the players on the field were either starters or backups who will make the 53-man roster.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick by Tennessee in the draft last spring, didn’t look overly stressed by the Rams’ highly touted defense during his three series. He completed five of eight passes for 59 yards and an 84.9 passer rating before giving way to Mettenberger.
The Titans managed only a field goal in those three possessions, but Mariota had a touchdown pass dropped by Dexter McCluster in the end zone before that initial field goal.
With Case Keenum taking over for Foles, the Rams finally got on the scoreboard with 5:38 to play in the third quarter. Reminiscent of his big-play prowess as a rookie in 2012, wide receiver Chris Givens got behind the Tennessee secondary and hauled in a well-thrown deep ball by Keenum. No one could catch Givens, one of the fastest Rams, and the result was an 80-yard touchdown that narrowed Tennessee’s lead to 20-7.
It took nearly seven quarters to get there, but the Rams finally had their first touchdown of the preseason.
The Rams got their second touchdown in the final minute of the game on a pass play from Sean Mannion to Malcolm Brown that went 54 yards.
znModeratorcollected by RamBill
Myles Simmons @MylesASimmons
Fisher will have a Monday press conference at 5 o’clock tomorrow.
Foles on INT: “That’s one of those ones where you learn from it. The next time you see that, you throw it over his head.”
More Foles: “That’s what the preseason is great for—situations like that you can learn from & move forward & stay positive through it all.”
Jim Thomas @jthom1
Just back from locker room. Jeff Fisher said the Rams had no one in the training room after the game, so no injuries.
On the pick six, Foles said he should’ve thrown the ball away. But Britt probably should’ve flattened out his route (my words, not Foles’.)
While realizing it wasn’t pretty when the starters and regulars were on the field, Fisher isn’t panicking. Says team has to keep working.
Fisher said the Rams looked like a team that hadn’t played in 10 days, which is the time since the preseason opener in Oakland.
Fisher was highly appreciative of the video tribute and the ovation of the Tennessee fans.
Said Brockers was held out because of some shoulder soreness, but it’s nothing major.
znModeratorNick Foles, offensive line stuck in neutral, Trey Watts rising
Nick Wagoner
Here are some highs and lows in terms of individual performances from the St. Louis Rams’ 27-14 loss against the Tennessee Titans:
Highs
WR Chris Givens: The Rams finally got their first touchdown of the preseason with a little more than five minutes left in the third quarter of the second game. It came courtesy of Givens, who burned the Titans for an 80-yard score with a perfect throw from quarterback Case Keenum. The deep ball is Givens’ best trick but it’s one the Rams can use and probably why he’ll stick on the roster for a fourth season.
RB Trey Watts: Watts is suspended the first four games of the season for violation of the league’s policy on substance abuse, which means he needs strong preseason performances to earn a roster spot. Nights like Sunday should help. He finished with 53 yards on six carries and added two catches for 42 yards.
QB Case Keenum: Competing for the No. 2 quarterback job, Keenum offered at least one reason to lock down the job with the aforementioned touchdown pass to Givens. It was the best throw by any Rams signal caller this preseason and finally got the Rams in the end zone. The final numbers weren’t overwhelming as he finished seven-of-16 for 164 yards with the score for a rating of 102.1 but anyone on the offense providing big plays should get thumbs up.
Lows
QB Nick Foles: Foles was responsible for the Titans’ first touchdown, throwing an aimless pass out into the flat that Perrish Cox intercepted and returned 24 yards for a touchdown. He finished three-of-seven for 18 yards with that pick and no touchdowns for a rating of 10.7.
The starting offensive line: Of course, Foles’ struggles were due in part to the struggles of this group. Without left guard Rodger Saffold, that unit didn’t allow a sack but there was plenty of pressure. What’s worse, they only managed to pave the way for 2.4 yards per carry on nine attempts. That’s not nearly enough for a team that wants to be run-centric.
CB Marcus Roberson: Roberson has had a strong camp but had a costly miss on a tackle that led to Hakeem Nicks’ 40-yard catch-and-run and allowed a couple of other completions for sizable gains. He’s all but certain to be the team’s No. 4 cornerback but will need to be more consistent to elevate beyond that in 2015.
znModeratorRams starters struggle with basics in preseason loss to Titans
Nick Wagoner
A few thoughts on the St. Louis Rams’ 27-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans:
What it means: We already knew that the Rams had a lot of work to do on offense but if it’s possible, a group that didn’t score a touchdown on two drives last week took a step back on twice as many opportunities against the Titans. Making matters worse, the defense had some issues, with the first-team unit allowing 6.4 yards per play on three series, though it managed to limit the damage to three points. The result doesn’t matter, but the Rams’ struggles to do the basics such as blocking and tackling should be of more concern. Those fundamentals have been issues in recent preseasons and carried over to the regular season. The Rams can’t afford for that to happen again.
Play of the game: Nearly seven quarters into the preseason, the Rams finally got their first touchdown when quarterback Case Keenum lofted a perfect deep ball to receiver Chris Givens, who caught it in stride for an 80-yard touchdown.
Stat of note: 2.4, as in 2.4 yards per carry. That’s what the Rams’ first-team offense mustered on nine attempts before calling it a night. If the Rams are to be a run-first team, that number must improve. This is where the blocking comes in.
Stat of note, part II: 5.7, as in 5.7 yards per carry allowed by the Rams’ first-team defense. The Rams boast a dynamic pass rush but it won’t mean much if they don’t stop the run first. This is where the tackling comes in.
Injuries of note: The Rams made it through without losing any potential starters to obvious or serious injuries.
What’s next: The Rams head home for the final two weeks of the preseason, starting with Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts at the Edward Jones Dome.
znModeratorRams mailbag: What to make of Brian Quick’s progress
Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans kick off Sunday night as they reach the halfway point of the preseason.
Before we get there, let’s take a few more of your questions in Part 2 of this week’s mailbag.
As always, you can find me on Twitter @nwagoner. Please use hashtag #RamsMail so I can find your question.
RamsFan4Life @scothoffman
How is Brian Quick looking in practice?@nwagoner: Brian Quick hasn’t really been limited except for the yellow beanie he wears, which reminds his teammates to avoid contact with him. Other than that, to my eye, he’s clearly been the team’s best and most consistent receiver. He looks healthy, he sounds determined and he has a greater appreciation of the game after having it taken from him last year because of a devastating shoulder injury. Does that mean Quick will become the No. 1 type of dominant wideout many hope he can? I don’t know if I’d go that far. But barring a setback, I expect him to be the team’s most productive pass catcher in 2015.
Christopher Dowell @pikebishop
Is Rhaney a serious contender for the backup guard position if Jones gets the nod at center?[/b]@nwagoner: The Rams seem open to at least tinkering with that idea but I’m not sure it’s something that’s really serious. Demetrius Rhaney is just too small to hold up at guard, in my opinion, and I’d tend to think if it came down to it, they’d simply flop Barrett Jones to guard and have Rhaney at center before they’d play Rhaney at guard. I will say this, though: One thing the Rams (and most teams) value in backup offensive linemen is versatility. So it wouldn’t hurt Rhaney’s status to prove he can handle the work at guard. Even if he’s a backup, it would behoove him to learn guard because he could then at least be more likely to be active on game days.
Mayor Sengheiser (@Nicholas_John91)
Are Evan Mathis and Jake Long or any free agent lineman just completely out of the picture at this point?@nwagoner: Pretty clear at this point that the Rams aren’t in the market for another offensive lineman. They’ve invested heavily in the line via draft picks and if they want to keep all of those guys, they don’t really have room for another. If there’s a big injury along the way, perhaps that changes but for now they seem content with what they have.
Larry @Larry49er
Seems assuming two rookies on the OL is a winning strategy is soooo HIGH RISK. Are these rookies worthy?@nwagoner: Of course it’s a risk but the Rams look at it with these two things in mind: 1) Having young, healthy linemen is an automatic upgrade over having old, injured ones. 2) They want to run the ball and run it a lot. That allows for a lesser learning curve if they can have success doing that. Now, there’s no question that the offensive line is the biggest question facing this team this year from a personnel standpoint. Whether the rookie linemen are “worthy” or not is besides the point. The question is how soon and to what extent they’ll be ready to get the job done when the season starts.
Nick Ritson @skippyrit
Of course Fisher says the time in Oxnard was worth it but what’s your assessment Nick?@nwagoner: From a football standpoint, sure. The extra repetitions against another team over two days is a good thing and should help speed things up for the team to potentially start a bit faster. From a PR standpoint, probably not. And I’m not talking about the fighting. They may or may not care about the public perception in St. Louis right now and it wasn’t all that good to begin with, but having what amounted to a pep rally in the city where the owner intends to relocate his team isn’t a good look. That’s not to say the fans in Los Angeles should be blamed. They turned out to support their team and should be commended for their dedication just like the fans in St. Louis who have stuck by the team. It’s unfortunate that this whole situation has turned Rams fans in both cities against each other rather than focusing on their shared passion for the team. Such is the situation the Rams and owner Stan Kroenke have created.
August 23, 2015 at 4:01 pm in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29174znModeratorTitans expect Marcus Mariota to get blitzed
Titans Insider
John GlennonAn NFL coaching veteran of nearly two decades, the Titans’ Ken Whisenhunt can recall times — not necessarily all that long ago — when head coaches might reach out to one another before preseason games, informally discussing things like the amount of blitzing that might go on.
All that, however, apparently has changed.
“As far as when it changed, I don’t know,” Whisenhunt said. “We used to communicate, maybe, sometimes. But we don’t (now). I’ve had no communication with any of the other coaches.”
Preseason blitzing might become a topic of interest Sunday, when the Titans play host to ever-aggressive defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and the St. Louis Rams. It was Williams who created a stir back in the 2011 preseason when his Saints defense relentlessly pressured San Francisco’s then-rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick, blitzing on 32 of the game’s 46 pass plays, according to one reporter.
Should the Titans expect their prized rookie quarterback, Marcus Mariota, to face plenty of blitzing?
“There is no unwritten code of anything I know of (regarding blitzes in the preseason),” Whisenhunt said. “If there is, I’ve missed the boat on it. They’re going to do what they do. We’re going to do what we do. So we’ll see.
“I anticipate they’ll bring pressure. That’s what they do. I know that’s what their philosophy defensively is.”
Titans quarterbacks coach John McNulty said Mariota can benefit from working against preseason blitzes.
“I’d like to see how we operate against it in person before we get into the opening game (of the regular season),” McNulty said. “I feel pretty good about where we are in it (during practice), but you like to see it live.
“I know some people think that teams shouldn’t (blitz during the preseason). I don’t know why. I don’t think there’s any code like, ‘You shouldn’t blitz.’
“I think it will be good for us to see how we operate into a blitz. We’re obviously going to get blitzed the first week in Tampa.”
znModeratorWell, we have all seen ‘some’ games where ‘that’ happened.
Ie, the opposing offense just dinked and dunked all the way
down the field, repeatedly, or at critical times.And we have seen games in 2014 where they directly addressed that, and effectively too.
I approach it this way. Think of the reasons why you wouldn’t want to play press coverage with this defense. Because in press coverage, the corners turn their backs on the LOS.
Then think of why they WOULD want to play the corners off. Because they are willing to concede yards for points.
And of course that means keeping the receivers in front of them.
In terms of the short passing game, I am surprised people remember when that hurt, and don’t remember when the Rams played it very effectively. To play it effectively, you limit yards after the catch. I remember a few games last year where the safeties would be all over those plays, in a very effective way, and in fact IMO it was the best sustained, series after series safety play we have seen from the Rams for years. Better than the GSOT defense and going back decades.
znModeratorHe probly coulda fed a lot more poor people if
he’d made that extra 35 million.His heart was not in football. He wanted to farm, and to do good service. He was actually known among the Rams as a religious guy.
I’m never going to criticize a guy whose idea of service does not meet some kind of overarching scrutiny. For me, he’s in the “I have to be me, and I have to do what I can” category.
znModeratorThe story of course is that both Brown and Bell lost interest in football in 2011. Since a lot of other things went wrong in 2011 too, the accumulative effect was bad.
Bell had offers after 2011 but declined—he had injury concerns.
Brown was always shaken up by his brother’s death in Iraq. He found peace with that by quitting football and taking up farming…plus the donations. He had offers, but he walked away.
========================
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/jason-brown-quits-nfl_n_6263288.html
In 2012 — after seven years in the NFL –- Jason Brown was let go from the Rams. Though other teams were interested in signing him, he left his career because he felt he had found a higher calling. Brown went on to become a farmer and to help the hungry with the fruits of his labor, CBS reported.
“My agent told me, ‘You’re making the biggest mistake of your life,'” Brown told CBS. “And I looked right back at him and I said, ‘No I’m not. No I’m not.'”
…
He connected with a number of relief groups, including the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina, and got hands-on help from local farming experts and 600 volunteers, according to his site.
This year he donated more than 10,000 pounds of cucumbers and 100,000 pounds of sweet potatoes to local pantries.
“When I think about a life of greatness,” Brown told CBS, “I think about a life of service.”
August 23, 2015 at 10:30 am in reply to: watching pre-season games+ replay times (read whole thread for all options) #29163znModerator8:00ET/5:00PT
FOX NFL: PRE-SEASON ’15 GAME #1 – 08/23/15 8pm LIVE
FOX NFL: PRE-SEASON ’15 GAME #1 – LIVEFOX NFL begins its pre-season telecasts when the Tennessee Titans host the St. Louis Rams.
August 23, 2015 at 10:12 am in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29161znModeratorI read that Tenn. uses a 3-4 defense. That puts a NT on the C and the pass rush can be harder to pick up. Also, it is harder to run wide.
It’s the same defensive coordinator they had in ARZ until last year (Ray Horton). That guy always gave the Rams fits. They also hired coach Dick LeBeau.
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Titans’ defensive struggles continue vs. FalconsNASHVILLE — Marcus Mariota has a great excuse for a rough start to the first NFL preseason game of his career, and the rookie quarterback shook off three bad plays pretty nicely.
Now if only the Tennessee defense could say as much.
Mariota rebounded from being sacked, intercepted and fumbling a ball returned for a touchdown in the span of five plays by driving the Titans to a touchdown Friday night in a 31-24 loss to Atlanta.
The defense that added veteran coach Dick LeBeau this offseason gave up an opening TD drive, something the Titans struggled with last preseason.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Saturday he was more disappointed by how his Titans played, not keeping their eyes in the right spots and losing players on some of the Falcons’ bootlegs.
“That disappoints me more than anything because we worked so hard on that,” Whisenhunt said. “On the other side of that, you got to also say that they didn’t run the ball on us very well, which is one of the things we needed to do. We needed to be better against the run, and we were effective last night until the fourth quarter.”
Well, the Falcons didn’t have a run for more than 2 yards on the opening drive. They didn’t have to run with Matt Ryan, who played only one series against Tennessee, completing all six of his passes with only one for less than 12 yards. Ryan drove them 91 yards in 10 plays for an efficient drive.
“Those are things we’ve got to clean up,” Whisenhunt said. “We’ve done a good job trying to get those done in practice, and when you get into a game for the first time and you don’t know what the opponent’s going to do it’s difficult. We didn’t handle it very well. So we’ll hopefully learn from that and do a little better this week.”
That will be Aug. 23 when the Titans and Mariota play their preseason home opener against the St. Louis Rams.
The Titans ranked 27th in total defense last season, giving up 373 yards per game. They were next to last giving up 137.2 yards rushing. That’s why they signed linebacker Brian Orakpo, cornerback Perrish Cox and safety Da’Norris Searcy this offseason
But the Titans didn’t game plan for the Falcons, and the preseason isn’t the place to show off all the zone blitzes LeBeau and coordinator Ray Horton can call. They also played without starting cornerback Jason McCourty, who has missed the past week with a sore groin muscle, and cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who has been competing with Cox to start opposite McCourty.
Luckily, the Titans have the Heisman Trophy winner as they try to rebuild the offense. Whisenhunt said Mariota had the ball knocked from his hand on the fumble when the rookie already was looking at tight end Anthony Fasano, his third read in the progression on that play.
The sack came when center Brian Schwenke was tripped by right guard Chance Warmack, and Whisenhunt blamed miscommunication between running back Bishop Sankey and Mariota for the interception.
Mariota played 20 snaps, and the rookie from Oregon hit on 7 of 8 passes for 94 yards, essentially staying in the pocket this game. On the touchdown drive, he dropped back and found Harry Douglas for a 17-yarder on third-and-12. Mariota also converted another third down with a pass to Antonio Andrews.
“The questions, if we all remember, is can he do it in the pocket?” Whisenhunt said. “And I think he’s shown that he’s made a lot of strides that way.”
August 23, 2015 at 9:37 am in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29158znModerator5 things to watch: Rams at Titans
Jim Thomas
NEXT IN LINE
It’s Round 2 in the competition for backup QB behind Nick Foles. Case Keenum, who played three series against Oakland, remains in the lead over Austin Davis. Keenum completed 12 of 17 passes, reaching Raiders territory twice but without scoring. Davis was in for only one series, and didn’t have time to do much behind the third-string line.
ON GUARD
With starting LG Rodger Saffold (shoulder) sitting this one out, Brandon Washington gets the start in Nashville. Washington had a rough beginning after Saffold went down early against Oakland, yielding sacks on back-to-back plays. Washington, who is not assured of a roster spot at this point, needs to do better Sunday night in Nissan Stadium.
THE RUN GAME
First-round draft pick Todd Gurley won’t play in the preseason, but that doesn’t mean the Rams aren’t grooming their ground game. The team gained 86 yards and 4.1 yards a carry against the Raiders, with seven players carrying at least once. Those are OK numbers, but coach Jeff Fisher says the team needs to be more productive running the ball against the Titans.
OFFENSE, OFFENSE
The Rams had only three points, 15 first downs, and 285 yards in the opener against Oakland. Sure, it’s the preseason, but no matter who’s in the game that can’t be acceptable. The Rams had only nine plays all evening go for more than nine yards. A sustained drive or two — and a touchdown or two — shouldn’t be asking for too much.
FLAG FOOTBALL
Reducing penalties has been a point of emphasis in camp. So 10 penalties against Oakland, with four more either declined or negated by offsetting flags, wasn’t what Fisher was looking for in the preseason opener. Granted, many of those penalties were committed by players who won’t make the final roster, but Fisher wants a cleaner game.
August 23, 2015 at 9:24 am in reply to: Eagles QB Sam Bradford … how is he doing (from training camp thru pre-season) #29156znModeratorI thought it was a cheap shot.
Mentally, it may prove good for Sam–knowing that he got up and was okay.
But it was dirty.
I thought Sam wasn’t quite comfortable in that offense yet. He also may have been nervous. We’ll find out this year whether Bradford can really be the QB we hoped he would be because if you can’t do it in that Eagles offense….you ain’t got it.
I think he was adrenalated. We’ve seen that before…amped up early with the passes sailing high.
That was a cheap shot, IMO…Rams have, starting in 2012, played at least 12 1/2 games against read-option qbs (Wilson, Kap, RG3), and not once have we seen a Rams defender launch at a knee.
August 23, 2015 at 12:05 am in reply to: 101, 8/21 … Wagoner, Greg Bishop of S.I., & Frank Wycheck #29145znModeratorDo you think that, in general, a football team can play lethargic, sloppy football in the P/S …
And then just flip the switch and play well to start the season?
.
No I don’t believe in general that a team can do that. Where we disagree (or so far anyway) is that the first 2 series of the Oakland game represented lazy, lethargic football. Remember D’Marco on the 99 Bux game? Quote: “You can’t ease into a street fight. We did, they didn’t.” Oakland just had the advantage in that situation. They came armed and with detailed terrain maps. I wouldn’t call the Rams unprepared, or lazy, etc, or any of that. I would just call it a clash of 2 different kinds of preparation.
But then contrast that with the Dallas scrimmage. There, both teams had the same level of preparation. Neither had an advantage the way Oakland did. And…the Rams were so intense about it that the Cowboys were taken to task after Monday for not matching that intensity. If I recall even the Dallas coach said something to the team about it.
Or maybe you’re right and Fisher used Oakland as a wake-up call. Who knows.
.
August 22, 2015 at 11:17 pm in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29143znModeratorRemember the Titans for Fisher
Jim Thomas
NASHVILLE • First and foremost for coach Jeff Fisher, it’s the middle of the preseason. He’ll be thinking about fewer penalties, more productive offense, and avoiding injuries for his Rams when they kick off at 7 p.m. Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
But surely there will be a time or two when he looks around what is now known as Nissan Stadium and remembers his long tenure with the Tennessee franchise.
He started in 1994 as a defensive coordinator for the Houston Oilers. Before the season was out he replaced Jack Pardee as head coach and retained that title for the next 16 seasons, through the franchise’s move to Tennessee in 1997 — first Memphis and then Nashville.
Sunday’s nationally-televised game (KTVI, Channel 2) marks his first game in the stadium since 2010. So preseason or not, it will be meaningful for Fisher.
“I have great memories,” Fisher said. “The thing reflecting back, it’s the relationships with the players. All of the players that came through there. Getting through the move process, the relocation process.
“And then the ’99 season and the 2000 season where I think we had a better team than we did in ’99. It didn’t work out for us. But it’s a great organization. I owe a tremendous amount to the (Bud) Adams family for the opportunity. We won a lot of games down there.”
A total of 147 victories to be exact. Fisher guided the Titans to six playoff berths, three division titles, and an AFC title in that ’99 season, losing to Dick Vermeil’s Rams 23-16 in Super Bowl XXXIV.
The Titans haven’t been to the playoffs since Fisher left and are 24-40 over that span.
“Fisher was Nashville,” said Rams defensive end Williams Hayes, one of five current Rams players who once played for the Titans. “He was one of the most loved guys there. So I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be heartfelt when he goes out there. I don’t think he’ll be bitter or angry. I’m pretty sure he likes his situation just as much as I do here (with the Rams).”
At some point during the contest, the Titans plan a video tribute to Fisher. Nothing elaborate, but a tribute nonetheless.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Fisher said after Thursday’s practice at Rams Park. “I’ll probably miss it. Coaches on the sideline don’t watch stuff on the board.”
Fisher still has a place on the outskirts of Nashville, and makes it back occasionally, including the annual Drive 4 Dinger charity golf tournament and auction. The event honors the memory of Mike Heimerdinger, Fisher’s former offensive coordinator with the Titans who died of cancer in 2011.
At least in terms of playing his former team, Fisher got that out of his system to a degree in 2013 when his Rams suffered a wrenching 28-21 midseason loss to the Titans. Hayes was so upset with the defeat that he shattered a mirror in the locker room that bloodied his arm and required stitches to close. That game was at the Edward Jones Dome, however. This one’s in Music City.
“You know, it’s a preseason game and it’s an opportunity for us to get better,” Fisher said. “I had great memories down there, but obviously it’s been a while. I guess I’d rather go down there for a preseason game than a regular game, but we’re looking forward to it. There’s some other guys in addition to myself that have some special memories there.”
Besides Fisher, six members of his Rams coaching staff once coached or played for Tennessee: assistant head coach Dave McGinnis, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, senior defensive assistant Chuck Cecil, wide receivers coach Ray Sherman, linebackers coach Frank Bush and assistant linebackers coach Frank Bush.
Besides Hayes, four other Rams players once played for the Titans: tight end Jared Cook, wide receiver Kenny Britt, linebacker Akeem Ayers and wide receiver Damian Williams.
“It’s the first time I’ve been back there since I left,” Hayes said. “I haven’t been back to Nashville, not even to visit.”
Hayes spent his first four seasons with the Titans after they drafted him in the fourth round in 2008 out of Winston-Salem State. He signed with the Rams after the 2011 season as an unrestricted free agent.
“The atmosphere on Sundays was awesome there,” Hayes said. “I had great teammates out there. I had a good time when I was there. But my time in St. Louis, I think has been even better. That’s not a knock towards Tennessee, but it’s just the organization all-around is just amazing in St. Louis, and I love coming to work every day. It’s been good.”
As is usually the case in second preseason games, Fisher plans to play his starters on both sides of the ball into the second quarter.
“But the one thing that we did get, which is really important for us, where we are now, is we got great reps against Dallas,” Fisher said. “So as I said, we almost got an extra preseason game. So we’ll increase reps (against Tennessee) but some guys may play less. We’ll give Nick (Foles) a chance to play a little bit.”
Offensive guard Rodger Saffold will be held out of Sunday’s game after tweaking his shoulder in the preseason opener against Oakland. But defensive end Chris Long, who sat out the Raiders game because of a back issue, is expected to make his preseason debut.
“We want to keep the penalties down,” Fisher said. “I’d like to see the run game continue to improve. It’s the same thing with the defense — defense against the run. When you tackle and just do those things, it’s a progression. It’s about improvement, so that’s what we’re looking for.”
znModeratorThe lone ram was Laurinaitis was it not?
w
vYeah and predictably, he could do nothing to stop the Dallas offense.
August 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29137znModeratorFive Players to Watch at Titans
Myles Simmons
As we get closer to Sunday’s 7 p.m. CT kickoff, here are five players to watch in the Rams’ preseason matchup against the Titans.
1) Trumaine Johnson – No. 22
The cornerback had a standout performance in St. Louis’ contest against Oakland last week with a key pass breakup and an interception in the end zone. He continued his strong work during practice with the Cowboys in Oxnard, especially during a one-on-one drill with Dallas’ wide receivers. Head coach Jeff Fisher said this week Johnson’s strong play has to do with a solid offseason.
“He was there every day. He’s worked. He’s taken care of his body and he’s determined,” Fisher said. “If you get in that third and fourth year and play like he has, you should start making those plays when you have that kind of ability.”
Johnson likely will not play too much, as it’s still the second preseason game. But last week illustrated that the cornerback can make a significant impact in only a few possessions.
2) Chris Givens – No. 19
Last week, Givens led the Rams with four catches for 36 yards, and also had a 16-yard run. The wideout was sporting a new number (19, switched over from 13) to honor a friend who passed away. On Sunday, Givens will have a chance to continue to make an impact, as he’ll likely continue to see some good playing time. His reliable hands and quickness should aid any quarterback with whom he plays.
3) Ethan Westbrooks – No. 93
An undrafted free agent from West Texas A&M last year, Westbrooks has been working inside at defensive tackle a bit more than he did as a rookie. One of the reasons the D-lineman made the 53-man roster in 2014 was his versatility, and that seems to be paying dividends as the 2015 season approaches. Westbrooks has done a good job of disrupting the backfield in practice. He especially did so when the team worked with the Cowboys this week, even picking off a Tony Romo pass. Look for Westbrooks to continue breaking through the offensive line on Sunday.
4) Center position
The three-way battle for the center spot is ongoing, and this game may be an opportunity for one of Tim Barnes, Barrett Jones, and Demetrius Rhaney to emerge as a front runner. Barnes got the start between guards Rodger Saffold and Jamon Brown last week, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case against Tennessee. What’s more, Rhaney saw time at left guard in practice with the Cowboys this week while Saffold recovers from tweaking his right shoulder in the Oakland matchup. Either way, keep an eye on Nos. 61, 67, and 65 for that center position battle.
5) Matt Longacre – No. 63 (DEF)
Longacre is an undrafted free agent out of Northwest Missouri State, and made significant contributions against the Raiders last Friday. The defensive end led the Rams with three quarterback pressures and also tallied a QB hit, according to the coaches’ tape review. As a player in the crowded and talented defensive line room, Longacre may have only an outside shot at making St. Louis’ 53-man roster. But with a few more performances like last week, Longacre could play himself into the conversation.
August 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29136znModeratorRams-Titans: Five Things to Watch
NORM SANDERS
News-Democrathttp://www.bnd.com/sports/nfl/st-louis-rams/article31892430.html#storylink=cpy
Here are five things to watch when the St. Louis Rams travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans in their second NFL preseason contest (7 p.m. TV: Fox Channel 2 (national broadcast); Radio: WXOS-FM 101.1):
1. Will the Rams’ potentially dominant front seven terrorize Titans rookie and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota?
They may not be in there for long, and don’t expect to see some of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ more exotic schemes, but the Rams’ fearsome front seven should give Mariota and the Titans’ offensive line all it can handle early. With backups seeing plenty of time in the loss to the Raiders last week, linebacker Bryce Hager led the way with eight tackles and backup defensive tackle Louis had seven. Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, whose role increases because of the season-ending foot injury to former starter E.J. Gaines, has a lot to gain with more good performances.
2. With left guard Rodger Saffold (shoulder) out, how will a vastly inexperienced Rams offensive line hold up against the Titans?
Brandon Washington got the bulk of the work at left guard last week when Saffold was injured early in the Raiders game. A 27-year-old former sixth-round pick out of the University of Miami, Washington was beaten for one sack last week but played well otherwise and hopes to take advantage of this opportunity. Look for rookie right tackle Rob Havenstein and rookie right guard Jamon Brown to see a lot of action, too, while the situation at center remains unsettled though Barrett Jones remains listed as the starter.
3. Will the Rams stay with a lot of short drops and quick-out passes or begin taking shots down the field?
In his time in St. Louis, Fisher rarely shows his hand much when it comes to fully unveiling the offensive package. Former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles continues to develop chemistry with his new group of receivers and seems to have formed a close bond with tight end Jared Cook. With short pass plays, maybe the Rams can find a way to make better use of former eighth overall pick Tavon Austin this season.
4. With first-round pick and former Georgia star running back Todd Gurley out of the lineup indefinitely, will Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham develop as a solid force in the backfield?
Gurley will eventually return and the Rams’ didn’t use a first-round pick on him to see him as anything less than a featured back. But before then it’s an opportunity for Mason and Cunningham to continue to cement themselves as durable and effective NFL running backs. Mason ranked second among all rookie running backs last season with 765 yards despite not playing in the first four games. The versatile Cunningham had 246 yards rushing and three touchdowns in 2014 along with 45 pass receptions and also was one of the top kickoff return men in the league.
5. Will former Titans head coach Jeff Fisher receive a warm welcome in his first trip back to Nashville since joining the Rams?
Of course he will. Were it not for a dramatic tackle near the goal line by Rams linebacker Mike Jones that stopped Titans receiver Kevin Dyson just short of scoring, Fisher’s Tennessee Titans would have beaten the Rams in the 2000 Super Bowl.
August 22, 2015 at 3:08 pm in reply to: 101, 8/21 … Wagoner, Greg Bishop of S.I., & Frank Wycheck #29127znModeratorA supposedly elite defense with all the stability you mention ought to be able to look good against the offense it shut out months ago even without elaborate game planning.
Well as you know I disagree, even given that you also conceded the point just on that one game. For one thing, the issue is not that the Rams didn’t gameplan, it’s that Oakland did. The Raiders, with an upgraded offense over what they had in 2014, designed and rehearsed an attack meant to take on the Rams D (a plan that began it seems with negating Donald). Under any circumstantances that’s an advantage.
I would say the fact that the 1st unit D held Oakland to field goals is a good sign under the circumstances, and was a hint of the D we saw at the end of last year.
znModeratorfrom off the net
===
RustyRay
I have always liked Washington. Was hoping the Rams would draft him and when they ended up signing him off waivers I was excited.
I honestly thought last preseason he played very well and had a very strong game vs Miami playing LT. I was a bit surprised to see him stashed again.
He has physical talent and he is a vet now, so to me its now or never for him. He wasn’t good to start that Raiders game but what he said is true he got better as he played more.
I think the key for him is he is another guy with talent who can play multiple positions and he has been with the Rams for awhile now.
I dont think anyone expected him to be the guy to get the call when Saffold got hurt…which is inevitable…I think it says a lot about what the staff thinks of him..
znModeratorI started off kind of slow, a little bit of rust, I guess,’’ said the 6-foot-2, 318-pound Washington, who was beaten by the Raiders’ Shelby Harris for a 14-yard sack to halt the Rams’ second drive. “It took a few plays, but I felt like I finished strong. As the game went on, I was more comfortable with the position and able to get my feet under myself. I was able to slow the game down mentally and just perform.’’
I guess the question is, did he in fact pick up his game the more he played that day. Cause he did not start out well, we know that.
August 21, 2015 at 3:57 pm in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29090znModeratorJeff Fisher says Rams’ starters snaps will increase against Titans
Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
EARTH CITY, Mo. — St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher has been alternately predictable and unpredictable when it comes to preseason playing time for his starters.
Fisher has made a habit of gradually building the starters’ reps from game to game in his three years with the Rams. But he’s also taken a different approach to the later games on the exhibition slate, sometimes using the fourth game as the dress rehearsal and sometimes using the fourth game as most teams do with starters sitting out (as he did in 2014).
Entering Sunday’s second preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Fisher sounds like a coach in the gradual build mode.
“We’re going to increase everybody’s reps depending on the series and things like that,” Fisher said. “The one thing that we did get which is really important for us, where we are now, is we got great reps against Dallas [earlier this week]. So as I said, we almost got an extra preseason game. We’ll increase reps, but some guys may play less. We’ll give Nick [Foles] a chance to play a little bit.”
In the preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders, Rams starters played two series on each side of the ball before calling it a night. The total work amounted to almost the entire first quarter before turning to the backups.
But, as Fisher indicated, there’s always wiggle room for things to change. If, for example, Foles is able to lead a long scoring drive or two, he might not play into the second quarter. Early success often translates to an earlier finish to the night. And the Rams don’t seem intent on letting their defensive starters play too much, believing that the group is all but ready and knowing that cornerback E.J. Gaines has already been lost for the season because of injury.
As for what Fisher would like to see from his team this week, he points to many of the things that most would point to when it comes to the Rams in the preseason. Which is to say he’s looking for improvement in the areas that continue to plague them in the exhibition season.
“Well, we want to keep the penalties down,” Fisher said. “I’d like to see the run game continue to improve. It’s the same thing with the defense, defense against the run. When you tackle and just do those things, it’s a progression. Progression, it’s about improvement so that’s what we’re looking for.”
August 21, 2015 at 3:53 pm in reply to: setting up the Titans game (which is nationally broadcast) #29086znModeratorJeff Fisher looking forward to return to Tennessee
Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
EARTH CITY, Mo. — The Tennessee Titans plan to pay homage to St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher when the teams meet in Sunday night’s preseason game. The plan is apparently for a video tribute to be shown at some point during or before the game, not that Fisher will get much of a chance to stop and watch.
“That’s the first that I’ve heard of it,” Fisher said. “So I’ll probably miss it. Coaches on the sideline don’t watch stuff on the board.”
But that doesn’t mean Fisher’s first trip back to the place where he spent 16 and a half years of his coaching career doesn’t hold some meaning for Fisher. Sunday marks Fisher’s first time coaching in Tennessee since he and the Titans parted ways after the 2010 season.
Not one to show much emotion, Fisher downplayed the return to Nashville but did acknowledge that he still holds a special place for his time with the Titans.
“You know, it’s a preseason game and it’s an opportunity for us to get better,” Fisher said. “I had great memories down there, but obviously it’s been a while. I guess I’d say I’d rather go down there for a preseason game than a regular game, but we’re looking forward to it. There’s some other guys in addition to myself that have some special memories there.”
Indeed, the Rams have seven members of the coaching staff and five players who at one time or another spent time with the Titans organization but none have the longstanding history that Fisher shares with the franchise.
Fisher coached the Titans from midway through the 1994 seasons through 2010. In that time, he led Tennessee to six playoff appearances, three division titles, two AFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance. He won 147 games, the most in franchise history.
It’s those wins, and the players who helped him get them, that Fisher points to as his fondest recollections.
“I have great memories,” Fisher said. “The thing reflecting back, it’s the relationships with the players. All of the players that came through there, getting through the move process, the relocation process, and then the ’99 season and the 2000 season, where I think we had a better team than we did in ’99. It didn’t work out for us. It’s a great organization. I owe a tremendous amount to the Adams family for the opportunity. We won a lot of games down there.”
While this is Fisher’s first trip back as a coach of a different team — namely the one that beat Tennessee in that Super Bowl — it’s not his first trip back to Nashville. Fisher kept his property in the area and makes it back every once in awhile, including for the annual charity golf tournament held in honor of former offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who died from cancer in 2011.
As with most divorces, Fisher says he’s unsure of what kind of reception he’ll get upon returning to Tennessee. So instead, he’s opting to deflect the focus to his team.
“I don’t know what to expect,” Fisher said. “I just know we’re going to go down there, focus on trying to get better and play time and keep people healthy and playing hard. [Titans coach] Ken [Whisenhunt] has done a good job down there and they have an outstanding, young quarterback. So it’ll be a good challenge for our defense.”
Nearly five years removed, it’s probably safe to expect that Fisher will be greeted warmly as the positive memories of winning linger longer than anything else.
August 21, 2015 at 10:53 am in reply to: Earl Thomas unsure he’ll be ready for Week One…and other issues in Seattle #29069znModeratorfrom Seahawks vs. Chiefs: Six things to watch
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-vs-chiefs-what-to-watch/
1, The offensive line. The Seahawks gave up seven sacks against Denver, one resulting in a lost Russell Wilson fumble and another an injury to backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (out at least two weeks with a sprained ankle). Seattle coaches responded by making some significant changes to the line this week, moving right tackle Justin Britt to left guard, backup left tackle Garry Gilliam to starting right tackle, and starting left guard Alvin Bailey to backup left tackle. Those two joined center Drew Nowak – getting the start this week as he continues to battle Lemuel Jeanpierre for the right to replace the departed Max Unger — and sure thing starting left tackle Russell Okung and right guard J.R. Sweezy to work as the starting unit all week in practice. If all goes well — or at least better — against the Chiefs then the Seahawks could decide to make that grouping the starters heading into the season. “We need to see them play well,’’ Carroll said when asked what he’s hoping for from that unit. “See them work together. This is about them communicating really well. Talent-wise, we’re okay. We need to make sure this unit is coming together and so I’m anxious to see how they do. Things looked very good in practice.” Added offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell: “Justin inside at guard, I like what I see. He looks like he fits in there. Very natural. He has a great understanding of what we are doing and just being able to make the calls and function in there. Garry has been in there a while and deserves a look. We like what we see but there would be other moves — we don’t know yet. Just trying to get the best five up there.’’ The line will be well-tested by a good Chiefs defense that includes one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Justin Houston.
2, The starting safeties. The Seahawks will again play without their All-Pro safety tandem Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. While Thomas returned to practice this week, he remains limited with the team concentrating on making sure he regains the needed strength in his surgically repaired shoulder to be ready for the regular season opener Sept.13 at St. Louis. Chancellor, meanwhile, remains holding out, with Carroll saying Friday that nothing has changed with his situation and that the team is “working to keep the communication lines open.’’ The Seahawks spent much of the week with undrafted free agent Ronald Martin working as the starting free safety and second-year player Dion Bailey at strong safety, and that duo could start against the Chiefs — and regardless, will get a lot of work. DeShawn Shead also will see time at strong safety as he battles Bailey to be atop the strong safety depth chart for now — and as long as Chancellor is out, with the team suddenly needing to think more seriously about the idea that one or the other could have to start against the Rams. “I really have liked everything those guys have done in practice,’’ Carroll said Friday of Bailey and Martin. “They’ve been very sharp and very on point. Bailey tackled really well last week, I thought (Martin) had a couple nice plays as well, so we’ll just let these guys go and we’ll see what happens. We just need more turns with them.”
3,The young skill players on offense. The line issues last week made it hard for the coaches to get as much of a game evaluation as they would have liked out of a number of young players competing for roster spots, such as tailbacks Christine Michael and Thomas Rawls and the group of receivers that includes B.J. Daniels, Kevin Smith and Kasen Williams. “We weren’t able to function at as high of a level as we could have liked because of how that ended up up front,’’ said Bevell. “So if we can get that shored up, that will enlighten us a little bit more about what our run game is like, what the pass game is like, and be able to move forward.’’ Michael, for instance, had a fumble and just 15 yards on seven carries, but also had nowhere to run. Said Bevell: “Thomas Rawls did a nice job running and Rod (Smith) catching some screens, so I think we were able to see some things.” But he added that “it would definitely feel a lot better for us” if they could avoid what happened with Michael where “we handed him the ball and two guys had already broken through the line of scrimmage” resulting in a fumble. Kevin Smith and Daniels each had two receptions in helping make their case for a roster spot that much more legitimate but the constant pressure left the passing game spotty throughout. “There’s a lot of competition there and every day it seems there’s another guy that shows up,” Bevell said.
August 21, 2015 at 10:33 am in reply to: Earl Thomas unsure he’ll be ready for Week One…and other issues in Seattle #29049znModeratorSeattle Seahawks Training Camp Report
Peter King
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/08/08/nfl-training-camp-tour-blog-week-2
Site: Renton, Wash.
What I Saw: Morning practice, Monday, Aug. 17. Sunny, 76 degrees. A postcard day on the shores of Lake Washington. If I’ve ever been to a more perfect day for an NFL training camp practice in 32 years covering the game, I certainly don’t recall it.
Three things you need to know about the Seahawks:
1. The secondary looks downright bizarre. When the first nickel defense took the field this morning, here’s who it was: rookie fifth-round pick Tye Smith at left corner, veteran free agent Cary Williams (Ravens, Eagles) at right corner, ex-Colt Marcus Burley at slot corner, undrafted 2014 free-agent Dion Bailey at free safety, undrafted 2015 rookie free-agent Ronald Martin Jr., at strong safety. The entire secondary’s a double take this summer.
Richard Sherman should be back at left corner in a day or two—his hip flexor’s sore—but who know when strong safety Kam Chancellor (holding out with three years left on his contract) comes back, and it’s likely but not certain that free safety Earl Thomas (shoulder labrum surgery) will be back for the opener. It’s a weird dynamic here in the secondary. Maybe three-quarters will be back for the opener in St. Louis in less than four weeks, but you hate to hear two guys from such a great position group entering the season a little ouchy.
[IMG]
Jimmy Graham gives Russell Wilson the power-forward target he’s never had. (Photo: John DePetro/The MMQB)2. Jimmy Graham gives Russell Wilson the power-forward target he’s never had. In practice this morning, Graham leaped high above a safety—didn’t catch his number—and finger-tipped a catch a good 10 feet off the ground. He looked like a forward snaring an alley-oop pass for a basketball dunk. Graham’s also working to disprove the worries of him as a blocker. When I watched him with the tight ends in blocking drills, he worked harder there than he did in receiving drills.
3. You could easily make the argument than Tom Cable is the most important assistant coach in the NFL this year. “I can see your point,” Pete Carroll told me this afternoon. In a little more than two weeks of training camp, the Seahawks have had five starting left guards—today it was converted tackle Justin Britt—while struggling to maintain control of the middle of the line.
Gone, too, is center Max Unger (in the Jimmy Graham trade with New Orleans), and so career backup Lemuel Jeanpierre steps in at center. “The good thing about Tom,” said Carroll, “is he’s very good at getting guys ready to play early.” This will be a vital part of the early season for the Seahawks, who open at the defensive-front-strong Rams and at powerful Green Bay.
What will determine success or failure for the Seahawks: I say whether they can build a bridge with Chancellor, and whether the offensive line can avoid being the sieve that it looks like right now.
Player I saw and really liked: B.J. Daniels, wide receiver. Strange story. Pete Carroll has always loved athletic players. And last year, when Daniels was a number three quarterback, he got practice reps elsewhere, and the Seahawks liked his versatility. He’s pretty much run his course at quarterback—the coaches didn’t think he had a shot to stick this year—and so had him try wide receiver.
This morning, he made the best catch I’ve seen any receiver make in my 17 camps thus far, a diving, one-handed snare in close coverage along the sideline, made with a violent landing, somehow holding onto the ball when he fell. One coach told me that despite a deep receiving corps (finally), Daniels will have a legitimate chance to make the team if he continues to play like that—in part because of the versatility he brings to the roster.
Five dot-dot-dot observations about the Seahawks: Amazing to see the little cubicle upstairs in the coaches’ wing of the facility, with assistant linebackers coach Loifa Tatupu in it. Yes, the former Pro Bowl linebacker for Seattle. Carroll says he’s adjusting well to the maladjusted life of being an NFL coach in his rookie coaching season …
Controversial second-round pick Frank Clark, kicked off his college team at Michigan after a domestic-violence charge, has been very impressive early in camp …
Defensive coaches like what they see in former Browns defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin. He should be in a three- or four-man rotation among the defensive-line heavyweights. Rubin’s 325 pounds …
Coaches love rookie wideout/returner Tyler Lockett, who returned a kickoff for a 103-yard touchdown in the preseason opener. He could be the receiver/returner the Seahawks hoped they’d have when they dealt for Percy Harvin two years ago …
Speaking of Harvin, Carroll had no comment to me and USA Today’s Jarrett Bell about Harvin’s comments to Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo Newsabout Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate being jealous of Harvin when he arrived in trade in 2013. “You’re not going to hear us talk about that,” said Carroll.
The one name on the roster I’d forgotten about. Michael Barrow, linebackers coach. The rookie assistant and 13-year NFL linebacker transitions from the University of Miami to a big job here—coaching Bobby Wagner, Bruce Irvin, K.J. Wright et al. Most importantly, he used to be my neighbor, just the next street over, in Montclair, N.J., when he played for the Giants 13 years ago. I mean, let’s get the important things straight here.
The thing I’ll remember about Renton. The view. The incredible view. I love coming to camp here. Even thought I’m a professed lover of teams that travel to training camp, August in Seattle is one of the most beautiful months in any city in the world. Today, with just a wispy cirrus cloud floating overhead for the two-hour workout, was one of those days that makes you wonder, Exactly why is it that I don’t live here?
Gut feeling about this team as I left town. I’m worried about the protection for Russell Wilson. Quite worried. Look for lots of wheel routes, screens and quick hitches and bubble screens—and jump balls over the middle on quick throws to Jimmy Graham. I just don’t think Wilson’s going to have the time he had last year. But, and this is a big “but,” I trust Tom Cable to solve the issues and salvage a decent line out of this group. If he does, there’s no reason why Seattle’s not in the NFC Championship Game again come January.
August 21, 2015 at 10:30 am in reply to: The Insider's Guide to a Gregg Williams Defense by Matt Bowen #29048znModeratorYes, this can be Williams’ downfall when he gets too aggressive in the game plan. That has shown up before when he was coaching in New Orleans. Blitz too much and you can hang your defensive backs out to dry with no help anywhere on the field.
New Orleans never had the personnel to really run that defense, particularly on the DL, and Wms schemed up stuff to compensate for that.
I don’t think the Saints are a fair indicator of what he can do when he has the players.
August 21, 2015 at 10:20 am in reply to: The Insider's Guide to a Gregg Williams Defense by Matt Bowen #29046znModeratorfrom off the net
—aeneas1
the rams defense ranked 5th in offensive points allowed last season, 1st over their final 9 games… they also ranked 12th in 3rd down conversions allowed, and 7th over their final 9 games… and, finally, the rams ranked 11th in forced 3-and-out over their final 9 games…
August 21, 2015 at 12:59 am in reply to: Earl Thomas unsure he’ll be ready for Week One…and other issues in Seattle #29036znModerator[www.rotoworld.com]
Kam Chancellor – DB – Seahawks
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Seahawks SS Kam Chancellor is prepared to extend his holdout into the regular season.
Per Schefter, Chancellor is “not close to budging.” Coach Pete Carroll says the sides have maintained an open dialogue, but Chancellor isn’t buying whatever the Seahawks are selling. With FS Earl Thomas still rehabbing his shoulder injury, Chancellor isn’t entirely without leverage, but he’s unlikely to earn anything other than a ceremonial raise or token guarantee.
znModeratorBrawl against Cowboys puzzles Rams
Joe Lyons
To be honest, Rams running back Tre Mason isn’t sure how the brawl against the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard, Calif., started. The same is true for tackle Greg Robinson.
“There was so much going on, it was almost impossible to know who or what started it,’’ Robinson said following practice Thursday at Rams Park. “Guys on both sides were going hard and I guess things just got out of hand. Just happy nobody got hurt.’’
According to the account from the Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas, the first scrum was a result of Dallas’ Randy Gregory and then Jeff Heath taking down Mason — hard.
“I’m not really sure how it started,’’ Mason said. “Football’s a game of emotion, it’s a contact sport. Things happen.’’
Tempers flared and then, just when it appeared to be settling down, Robinson and Mason went after Gregory. There were a handful of scuffles before order was restored and the second day of the Rams’ stay in Oxnard was halted.
Mason and Robinson, both in their second NFL seasons, were college teammates at Auburn.
“Greg’s always had my back, on and off the field,’’ Mason said.
Robinson added: “That’s my brother. If he needs me, or any of my teammates need me, I’m there for them.’’
Despite the practice-ending brawls, Robinson and Mason feel the two days working against the Cowboys will benefit the Rams.
“The game against Oakland (last Friday’s 18-3 road loss to open the preseason) was an eye-opener for me,’’ Robinson said. “It felt good to play again, but it also showed me that I had some things to work on. And having those two days practicing against Dallas gave me an opportunity to get in some quality work against some good competition. Now hopefully I can take that and build on it Sunday against Tennessee.’’
Mason, who rushed for team-best 765 yards as a rookie a year ago, said that stop in Oxnard provided a welcome diversion for the Rams.
“You get tired of going against the same guys all the time,’’ he said. “We got a chance to go against another top team and got in some good work. Whatever else happened is behind us now. We’re moving on and working to get ready for the Titans.’’
In their second preseason game, the Rams will meet the Tennessee Titans at 7 p.m. Sunday in Nashville.
RAMS GIVE BACK
The Rams announced Thursday that they will provide $15,000 to the St. Louis Public Schools to fund a program to ensure certified athletic trainers are present at all of this season’s high school football games.
The certified athletic trainers who will provided by Athletico Physical Therapy, will deliver game day coverage through the 2015 campaign and will be assisted by athletic training students from St. Louis University. The Athletico trainers will also be covering weekly follow-up checks during the season and providing ImPACT baseline concussion tests.
“When we learned that SLPS didn’t have certified athletic trainer coverage at their high school games, we were committed to find a solution to that issue,’’ said Reggie Scott, the Rams director of sports medicine and performance. “While the game coverage was of paramount importance, it was also important to us that we provided necessary follow-up care as well. We’re extremely proud that we were able to create a unique partnership with Athletico and St. Louis University that will lead to a safer game for these student-athletes.’’
Martin Jenkins, the SLPS athletics director, said he was “humbled’’ by the Rams’ generosity.
“When I first heard from the Rams about the program, my first question was how much it cost, and they said absolutely nothing, I told them I was interested,’’ Jenkins said. “They’re going to do everything from ‘ouchies’ to emergencies to taping. It’s such a great thing for our school system because you look at the suburban districts and they have trainers readily available. We just didn’t have the funds for something like that.’’
In previous years, Jenkins said, coaches had to fill the athletic trainer’s role.
“We do have an emergency medical service on hand, but coaches were the nurses, the trainers, the everything,’’ Jenkins said. “But anything that happened before it became an emergency, it was the coaches who had to deal with it. So now the coaches can concentrate on the coaching aspect, leave the medical and feel safe that the young men are in good hands.
“This adds a level of safety, along with our helmet program, to make sure our kids are safe.’’
Rams coach Jeff Fisher added; “The (NFL) is all about player safety and improving in that area. The league has an initiative and we’re proud to be able to provide some help in that regard.’’
By the end of the 2015 season, the Rams will have contributed more than $80,000 to local and high school football efforts.
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams returned to Earth City for practice Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s game vs. the Titans.The defense enjoyed a big day Thursday, getting interceptions from Alec Ogletree, Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Lamarcus Joyner (off a tip by James Laurinaitis).
• Players not practicing on Thursday were G Rodger Saffold, DTs Michael Brockers and Doug Worthington, CBs Brandon McGee and E.J. Gaines, LBs Daren Bates (knee) and Korey Toomer and WR Isiah Ferguson,
RB Todd Gurley (knee) continues to do individual work. Another rookie, G Cody Wichmann (calf), continues to work his way back. TE Brad Smelley, who has been practicing with a heavily taped hand, left practice early and appeared to be limping slightly.
• Although he said Saffold (shoulder) is making progress, Fisher ruled Saffold out of Sunday’s game. Saffold later tweeted on his certified account: “I just want everyone to know that I’m OK and I’m just in no rush this preseason. Don’t worry I will be fighting for you all year!’’
• Employees and their families from team sponsor Anheuser-Busch were on hand to watch Thursday’s workout.
znModeratorRams CB Johnson backing his talk with his play
Jim Thomas
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson did a lot of talking in Oxnard — OK, let’s call it trash-talking — but he said it wasn’t necessarily by design.
“I’m the type of player, I don’t talk too much until somebody starts talking to me,” Johnson said. “Tony Romo, he’s the one that really sparked it.”
That’s right, long before the brawl that ended Tuesday’s joint practices with Dallas, Johnson was engaged in quite a trash-talking dialogue with the star Cowboys quarterback as well as wide receiver Dez Bryant during a one-on-one red zone passing drill.
“Oh, Dez was there, too,” Johnson said. “Big time. Both of them were yapping at the mouth. It was a good time, though. Great competition for those two days.”
Johnson declined to say what Romo said to get things started.
“I don’t want to get into details,” Johnson said. “They’re in the past. I’m going to Tennessee.”
Which is where the Rams play Sunday night in their second game of the preseason.
Johnson, who’s having a very good camp, had a very good period in that red zone drill, breaking up several passes.
“That’s what I’m supposed to do,” he said. “That’s part of the job.”
At one point, Bryant got so worked up he lined up over Johnson ready to go against him one-on-one, bad hamstring and all.
“He was sold,” Johnson said. “He wanted to go up there. His coaches told him to stop. C’mon now. How you gonna talk trash when you’re not practicing? Seriously.”
Bryant sat out the Oxnard practices because of a hamstring injury. It should be noted that the “fun” between Johnson, Romo, and Bryant was on a field adjacent to where the brawl broke out and had nothing to do with the brawl starting.
It was merely an entertaining warmup act for a main event that would come later. With the season-ending foot injury to E.J. Gaines, the Rams need Johnson to be more than a warmup act in their secondary.
When all was said and done, Johnson may have won the job anyway over Gaines. But now there’s no choice. He’s being counted on to start at corner opposite of Janoris Jenkins this season.
Losing Gaines is a blow, but coach Jeff Fisher thinks the Rams have enough talent at the position to get by.
“To come in as a sixth-round pick and get an opportunity because of injury and keep the job, I thought it was a very impressive effort last year for him,” Fisher said of Gaines. “We were counting on him. We were going to create competition between Trumaine (Johnson) and he this year to see what happens, and it’s just unfortunate.”
But there’s no doubt Johnson appears up to the challenge thus far in camp. He was strong in last week’s preseason opener as well, saving a touchdown with an end zone interception and also breaking up a deep pass against Oakland.
“It all goes back to what he’s done this offseason,” Fisher said. “He was there every day. He’s worked, he’s taken care of his body, and he’s determined. As you get in that third and fourth year and play like he has, you should start making those plays when you have that kind of ability.”
Johnson is one of several Rams scheduled for unrestricted free agency at the end of this year. He said he’s unaware of any extension talks going on between the Rams and his agent.
“Yeah, this is my contract year but I don’t get caught up on that,” he said. “You can’t. I come out here, it’s day by day. Try to be perfect.”
Johnson came into the NFL draft with two of the other three starters in the secondary — Jenkins and free safety Rodney McLeod. Starting strong safety T.J. McDonald came in the following year (2013). So they’ve put in some time together as a unit.
“I love these guys,” Johnson said. “I built chemistry with these guys. I love Coach Fisher. He’s a player’s coach, and I love everything about the whole organization.”
Johnson appears to be playing with more confidence this season, although he says that’s not the case.
“The confidence has been there,” he said with a chuckle. “My whole mindset is coming out here and stacking good days on top of good days. Trying to stay consistent.”
Gaines’ injury not only settles matters at one corner, it also clarifies the situation at nickel back, where Gaines was slated to battle second-year man Lamarcus Joyner for that job.
Now, it’s all on Joyner to get it done at the nickel — or third cornerback position — a position that’s on the field about 60 percent of the time in the pass-happy NFL.
As part of that domino effect, Marcus Roberson moves up to the No. 4 corner spot. He began camp battling Brandon McGee for the No. 5 corner spot, but McGee has been out with a foot injury.
Fisher said Joyner is “light years ahead of where he was last year. … The game’s starting to slow down for him. When he knows exactly what to do, he does it very well. So we’re counting on him to be effective in the slot.”
Realizing that the mental aspect of the game is just as important as physical skill, Joyner said he switched his focus in the offseason. He spent a lot of time studying his playbook, focusing on his assignments and the concepts within those assignments.
A college star at Florida State, Joyner realized as a rookie last season that it takes more than talent to succeed in the NFL.
“You come to the league and you see that everybody’s just as good as you,” Joyner said. “So it’s not just I’m gonna go tie my shoes on Sunday and compete. You have to really prepare each day of camp. And I didn’t really understand that coming into this game.”
He understands it now.
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