Ramblin' Fan » Rams defense

More Of The Same: Rams Fall 20-13 To Bengals

Justin Stine — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:34:53 +0000

If I had made that template I was talking about a few weeks ago, this post would go much more quickly. The Rams dropped their fifth game in a row on Sunday as they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 20-13 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. The game went about the same as almost every other one this season, so instead of just saying the same things over and over again, I thought it might be nice to look at some of the bright spots instead. That doesn’t mean the terrible third-down offense or the penalties get a pass, it just means I want to try something new.

Before I get into the Rams, I want to talk about the Bengals. More specifically, I want to talk about AJ Green. For anyone out there who doesn’t think the Rams need a legit game-changing wide receiver, you need to re-watch Sunday’s game. Green’s presence changes the Bengals offense. I think the thing that really got me was the highlight reel they played during the broadcast. For those of you who didn’t see it, the highlights pretty much consisted of QB Andy Dalton make average-to-below average throws and Green either outrunning or making adjustments and coming down with the ball.

He stretches the field and he makes things happen most of the times he is targeted. He creates space for other pass-catchers, and he gives Dalton confidence to throw the ball up there because Dalton knows Green will go get it. If there’s one thing the Rams need right now, it’s that. Rams analysis on the next page…

Rams Blasted By Niners 26-0

Justin Stine — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:28:31 +0000

I feel like I should just save myself some time every week and save a template on here for every game recap. That template would look something like this: Rams lose to (insert opponent here). The defense did everything they could to keep the Rams in the game, but the offense was inept for the entire game. The defense tired late and the Rams never made a game out of it. I think that pretty much sums up most of the season for the Rams, and it is certainly applicable for Sunday’s 26-0 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco.

I thought the defense was outstanding in the first half, and they really stepped up and played the game I thought they could play. The halftime score was 9-0, and the Niners were 0-3 on scoring touchdowns in the red zone. The Rams kept Frank Gore under wraps as well in the first 30 minutes, and he pretty much did nothing other than breaking one 20-yard run. Unfortunately, as good as the defense was, the offense was equally as bad. The Rams, led by AJ Feeley with Sam Bradford out with an ankle injury, managed 63 yards in the first half and finished with 157 for the game. The farthest they penetrated into 49ers territory on the day was the 38-yard line. If you want a quick recap of the Rams offense today, here are the results of every offensive drive: punt, punt, fumble, punt, punt, interception, punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, punt, end of game. That says it all.

Since we have to find some kind of silver lining, I can’t finish without mentioning Chris Long. The man was pretty much playing on one ankle today, and he managed two sacks, three solo tackles, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. Long now has 12 sacks on the season, and he has recorded a sack in each of his last 6 games. Long absolutely deserves a trip to the Pro Bowl, and for anyone who was calling “bust” on him a few years ago, I think that’s pretty much off the table. This guy is an elite pass-rusher in this league, and he might be the best thing going for this franchise right now.

Rams Promote Brandstater, Bradford Status Questionable

Justin Stine — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 08:35:22 +0000

We still don’t have a final word on the status of Rams quarterback Sam Bradford for Sunday’s game, but the team took a precautionary measure on Saturday by promoting QB Tom Brandstater to the active roster. If Bradford is unable to go, Brandstater would back up AJ Feeley when the Rams tangle with the San Francisco 49ers in the Bay Area. I don’t know that this move necessarily means that Bradford won’t play, but his status is obviously questionable enough that the team doesn’t want to take a chance that Feeley will be the only QB available.

To make room on the roster, the team waived LB Ben Leber. I have nothing against Leber, but it’s safe to say he was a monumental disappointment after being signed as a free agent. Cutting him was the right move, but it would have been a far better move to cut him instead of rookie Jabara Williams earlier in the season. For all the problems the Rams have had this season, I think the cutting of Williams and him subsequently going to Chicago might make me the most angry.

Also on the injury front, Darian Stewart will miss Sunday’s game with a concussion. It wasn’t looking good for Stewart earlier in the week when he still hadn’t been cleared by doctors, so it’s no surprise he won’t go Sunday. Stewart has certainly been one of the few bright spots for the Rams this season, so being without him hurts. More on next page…