Behind Enemy Lines – Rams head to Arizona
Nov 4, 2011, 4:47 PM
Be honest.
Even though the Cardinals had limped to a 1-5 start, you
still had this Sunday’s game with the St. Louis Rams
circled on your pocket schedule as a win.
After all, the Rams were winless, hapless and clueless.
There’s no way the Cardinals would lose a home game to the
Lambs, right?
Then Sunday happened. While the Cardinals were blowing a
three-touchdown lead in Baltimore and losing to the Ravens
30-27 to sink to 1-6 on the year, the Rams were
inexplicably beating the New Orleans Saints 31-21, with
backup quarterback A.J. Feeley at the controls of the
offense.
It doesn’t look like a sure win anymore, and the loser
will have sole possession of the cellar in the NFC West.
Here’s what’s happening in St. Louis as the Rams get ready
to invade Glendale…
Friday, November 4th
Feeley shoots down any possible
‘controversy’
St. Louis Rams (1-6) quarterback A.J. Feeley downplayed
the notion that there might be a quarterback controversy
with Sam Bradford after getting the team’s first win in
his absence on Sunday.
Bradford participates in
individual drills as rehab continues
Bradford participated in individual drills Thursday,
another step forward in his recovery from a high-ankle
sprain, suffered Oct. 16 against Green Bay.
Long makes short
work of Rams’ foes
After a three-sack game and a rare Rams victory against
New Orleans, Chris Long’s phone blew up with text
messages. Trouble was, after his game of games, Long had
no idea who was texting him.
1. Finding Fitz
There might not be a more consistent player in the NFC
West Division than Arizona wideout Larry Fitzgerald. Even
after a down year by his lofty standards in 2010 (mostly
because of erratic quarterback play), Fitzgerald has
bounced back this season and is again among the best in
the league at his position.
Thursday, November 3rd
Quinn named NFC special teams player of the
week
Quinn’s blocked punt late in the first half rolled out of
bounds at the New Orleans 15. Two plays later, the Rams
were in the end zone for a 10-0 lead en route to a 31-21
victory.
Bradford takes ‘baby steps’ at Rams
practice
The walking boot was off and the practice uniform on for
Sam Bradford. But that’s as far as it went for the Rams
quarterback Wednesday afternoon.
With the ankle out of the hard cast and walking boot he’d
been wearing for the better part of the past two weeks,
Bradford is beginning to feel free again and moving better
than he has since suffering the injury.
Wednesday, November 2nd
Rams’ evolving offense with Brandon Lloyd
Two major changes to the Rams roster have occurred in the
past two weeks. The first was the trade for wideout
Brandon Lloyd, the second was the return of a healthy
Steven Jackson. These and other slight roster changes have
improved the Rams outlook.
Two months ago, cornerback Josh Gordy was unemployed. Six
weeks ago, he was a practice squad player. Sunday at the
Edward Jones Dome, he was a starter — against Drew Brees
and the New Orleans Saints no less.
Bring Back The St. Louis Rams Throwback
Uniforms, For Good
Let’s face it, those uniforms just look better. Think
about those unis compared to the awful white jerseys and
white pants worn today. The blue jerseys are acceptable,
but more from a non-offensive standpoint as opposed to
something that truly links to an identity. Those old unis
drip with identity.
Tuesday, November 1st
Having run the gauntlet of Baltimore, Green Bay, New
Orleans, and the entire NFC East, the Rams still are
standing — just barely — at 1-6. If anything, their
improbable 31-21 victory Sunday over the New Orleans
Saints showed what the Rams are capable of and should
provide a much-needed confidence boost.
Quarterback Sam Bradford was out of the boot that has
protected his high ankle sprain and did strengthening
exercises Monday. Coach Steve Spagnuolo was uncertain,
though, whether Bradford would practice Wednesday, when
the Rams begin preparation for their game Sunday in
Arizona against the Cardinals.
Team answers Jackson’s challenge with upset
of Saints
Prior to Sunday’s game against powerful New Orleans,
Jackson challenged the team to come out swinging against
the Saints. The team responded with a stunning 31-21 upset
victory, and Jackson didn’t just talk-the-talk. He rushed
for 159 yards, the fourth-highest total of his career and
scored two touchdowns.
One minute it was rookie defensive end Robert Quinn
blocking a punt, the next it was second-year cornerback
Josh Gordy coming up with an interception and then it was
safety Darian Stewart making an interception and returning
it 27 yards for a touchdown to seal the win.
Monday, October 31st
Punching bags en route to an 0-6 start, they registered
one of the most surprising upsets of the 2011 NFL season
with a 31-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints at the
Edward Jones Dome.
Rams Report Card: Grade A
defensive effort
Here are the grades for the St. Louis Rams after Sunday’s
31-21 victory over the Saints
Lloyd catches TD pass after changing play
The improv worked, giving the Rams a 17-0 lead. With Lloyd
cutting inside Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson, Feeley
got the ball out quick, before safety Malcolm Jenkins
could arrive with help. What was offensive coordinator
Josh McDaniel’s reaction to the play?
The Rams’ win against New Orleans on Sunday afternoon was
stunning to many but not to the 53 players and assorted
coaches in the locker room. It may have been a surprise to
you and I but it wasn’t to them. For all they’ve taken and
dealt with in the first six weeks of the season, the one
thing about this team that was clear is that it doesn’t
quit.
