Let’s start where we usually start: Sam Bradford. Bradford attempted to explain the team’s inability to score in the red zone by saying there are too many mental lapses when the team gets inside the 20. “I think it’s a lack of concentration once we get down there. Some of the mistakes that we do make down there, there’s no reason for them, and we’ve got to find a way to eliminate those.” Bradford went on to say “We get down there and we just continue to shoot ourselves in the foot with either penalties or negative plays that put us behind the chains and put us into bad situations.”The sooner we can eliminate those negative plays, I think the sooner we’ll finally start to see rewards.”

Well, they always say admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. I think everything he said has been painfully obvious to everyone who has watched this team, but it’s nice to hear him say it. Maybe now that it’s out there, we will see more concentration in those situations. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

Also in the news today, it looks like the Rams have benched center Jason Brown in favor of Tony Wragge. Brown said he was informed by the coaches he won’t be starting on Sunday, but he gave no explanation for the change. I find it curious that the team would make this move now after the offensive line has looked much better over the last few weeks, but I have no problem with shaking things up. Also, the team activated Mark Clayton and added him to the 53-man, so it looks like he will make his 2011 debut against Cleveland this weekend. More on next page…

I think the real issue here is that the Rams were unable to gain one yard on two consecutive plays with the game on the line. That’s something I have a problem with. I have a problem with running the same play twice in a row because I think that shows poor management by the coaching staff. You have to be prepared for that situation and have the decision made before the third down play. If you decide you are going to go for it if you don’t make it on third, then that has to factor into both play calls. I can’t put that whole failure on the coaches, but I think it’s just another notch in the “Reasons To Fire Spags” belt, and although this is obviously a very minor notch compared to some of the others, they are all starting to add up. I’m not calling for his head or anything, but anyone who follows this team knows he is on thin ice and this situation didn’t do anything to help him.

What say you? Do you agree with going for it on that play? What should the play calls have looked like? Hit up the comments section to make your voice heard.

On the rest of the injury front, Jason Smith, Darell Scott, Danario Alexander and Mark Clayton have been ruled out for the game. It looks like Brady Poppinga and Justin King will be active and will play, so that’s good news. Bryan Kehl was in a walking boot this week after hurting his ankle, so it’s not looking great for him. No real surprises on this list, as we knew the guys who are out were going to be out a few days ago. It’s nice to have Poppinga and King both back, if only for depth purposes. I like what Poppinga brings to this defense, so it’s good to have him back on the field. As far as King goes, I think we all know his deal. The secondary was fine without him last week, but it can never hurt to have more bodies at the position.