St. Louis Rams – Blog

Wrapping Up Washington

- Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo just did his weekly reflection on the Rams’ victory yesterday against Washington and remains proud of his team’s efforts but also is clearly ready to get to work on this week and the Seahawks.

- Before delving into some of Spagnuolo’s thoughts, let’s get to the injury updates.

- First and foremost, RB Steven Jackson’s MRI came back with good news. He does NOT have a torn groin. It’s being called a strain and it’s apparently pretty mild. Jackson, on his Twitter feed (@sj39) earlier today said he was walking “pretty cool” and was feeling OK. The Rams will not rush him back but there is at least a possibility he could play this week. He’s being called day to day and the Rams will see how he’s feeling on Wednesday before throwing him into a practice.

- S Oshiomogho Atogwe aggravated his already ailing thigh injury when he was the victim of an illegal crackback block from Washington’s Santana Moss. Atogwe came out on the play and did not return to the game. Spagnuolo says the Rams are “hopeful” that he’ll be able to go this week but like Jackson, Atogwe will be closely monitored the rest of the week.

- The most serious of the injuries, as expected, was the torn ACL which was confirmed for WR Dominique Curry on Monday morning. He is out for the year and will be placed on injured reserve.

- S Craig Dahl did his exertion test Monday morning as he recovers from his concussion. He is expected to meet with an independent doctor on Tuesday morning and could be cleared in time for practice Wednesday. Even if that’s the case, though, Spagnuolo says he won’t be able to participate in contact drills Wednesday.

- DT Clifton Ryan is still dealing with his migraine issues but the Rams and Ryan remain optimistic that he’ll be cleared and ready to go this week.

- TE Billy Bajema (knee), LB Chris Chamberlain (foot), TE Michael Hoomanawanui (ankle) and WR Laurent Robinson (foot) are progressing as expected. Only Robinson would seem to have a chance to return this week but they are progressing toward getting back.

- On the bumps and bruises side of things, S Darian Stewart has a hamstring injury and will be day to day. RB Keith Toston has a shoulder sprain but played through it and will likely be OK to go this week. Fullback Mike Karney has a thumb injury that might need to be wrapped but he should be fine as well. DT Gary Gibson had an ankle issue but it wasn’t even serious enough for it to be listed on today’s report.

- As for the game, Spagnuolo made it a point, again, to thank the fans who showed up and created a raucous atmosphere. He also wanted to recognize the staff and players for their work in the game.

- That said, Spagnuolo was also clearly in the mood to move on to the next game and begin preparations for Seattle.

- Although the Rams got the win and did plenty of good things, Spagnuolo cited a few areas he wants to see cleaned up immediately: blocked field goals, penalties and fumbles.

- Spagnuolo, as usual, held himself accountable in saying that he needed to do a better job of clock management at the end of the first half. He was not pleased with himself for burning a timeout too early near the goal line because he wanted to keep the ball out of the hands of Donovan McNabb.

- The Rams will continue to scour for help at running back. They worked out Kevin Jones last week and took a look at Justin Fargas back in the preseason but have not brought anyone in. If Jackson is unable to go, the Rams will need another back to help provide some depth this week. The Rams will have a roster spot as Curry goes to I.R.

- It’s likely that CB Kevin Dockery will be brought back to the fold in the next day or so after he was released late last week.

- What Spagnuolo really wants to see this week is his team handle prosperity. While the victory could very well be great for confidence, it also could work against the Rams. That’s something Spagnuolo warned against on Monday:
“That could go one way or the other. I am hoping the guys handle it right. It’s a little bit of a confidence builder but if we are going to do this thing right, we forget about it and move on to the next game. You’ve heard me say this before after losses but it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, the approach is exactly the same.”

- Spagnuolo always finds a way to keep it even keel and he expects his team to do the same as they prepare for the Seahawks.

- I mentioned last night that John Greco stepped in at guard at times for Adam Goldberg yesterday and the Rams seemed to have some success running behind him in the second half. Spagnuolo indicated Monday that could well continue this week as the Rams work on developing their depth further.

- That will do it for this week’s version of Wrapping Up. Be sure to get your questions in for tomorrow’s chat where we’ll chop it up about the Rams’ win and what’s to come this week. Thanks for reading.

Total Team Effort Leads to Win

- When the Rams jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and promptly gave it back with a series of miscues in a second quarter in which nearly everything that could go awry did, the instant reaction of many had to be ‘Here we go again.’ But after two weeks of near misses, the Rams had enough of that old feeling and they surged to a win in a second half performance that was by far their most complete and could nearly be described as dominant.

- I’ll get to the particulars of all of that in a moment but let’s hit the injuries first.

- Clearly, the groin injury to RB Steven Jackson is the most concerning. He was pulled apart at the bottom of the pile in a second quarter collision and did not return to the game after testing it at halftime. Early indications are that there is no tear in the groin and that Jackson should be able to recover fairly quickly if that is indeed the case. Jackson will have an MRI to determine its severity in the morning.

- WR Dominique Curry doesn’t appear to be as fortunate. He suffered a knee injury that is believed to be a torn ACL. If that’s the case, he will miss the rest of the season. That hasn’t been determined fully yet and Curry will also be looked at further this evening.

- Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe battled a quad injury all week and it never loosened up though he played early in the game. He came out and did not finish the game. He’ll be monitored day to day.

- RB Keith Toston (shoulder), S Darian Stewart (quad) and DT Gary Gibson (ankle) suffered what appeared to be minor bumps and bruises though more information on those will be available tomorrow.

- As for the game, what can you say? It was like a movie that started with a great action scene, bogged down by bad acting and writing in the middle and ended with a terrific plot twist. After two weeks of near misses, the Rams learned how to win by falling short.

- In some ways, winning in this manner rather than by jumping to a lead and holding on to it will be better for the long term confidence of this football team. Not that beggars can choosers when it comes to winning but finding a way to get it done when things started turning against them could do wonders for a team as young and inexperienced as this one.

- Jackson gave the Rams a huge lift in the first quarter with his touchdown run. A thing of beauty and anyone wondering if his burst is still there shouldn’t wonder anymore.

- Kenneth Darby had his finest career performance and looked quick and decisive in replacing Jackson. What a lift he gave the Rams. And it should be noted that Toston fought for some hard yards as well.

- QB Sam Bradford is growing up right before our eyes. Tremendously poised and confident performance, especially in the second half when Jackson was out of the game. Some terrific throws and he made all of the right decisions.

- What a pickup WR Mark Clayton has been. He just makes play after play after play. It’s early but so far the deal for him looks like nothing less than a steal.

- Danny Amendola might be the toughest player in the league pound for pound. He finds a new way to get hit, spun around or body slammed every week and he pops right back up and makes another play.

- Nice job by TE Daniel Fells as well. He fought for some big extra yards after the catch and did a nice job blocking.

- Which, of course, leads me to my player of the game for this week: the offensive line. That group absolutely took over and imposed its will in the second half. John Greco worked in some at right guard, flopping in and out with Adam Goldberg and he added some punch in the running game. That’s the type of performance of a jelling offensive line.

- On the other side of the ball, it was a total defensive performance. Great work by that entire unit but a few plaudits are in order.

- He hasn’t quite been able to close the deal for a sack by DE Chris Long is regularly getting in the backfield and putting pressure on the quarterback. He did it again on Sunday.

- Cornerbacks Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher have been consistently good in coverage. Congrats to Fletcher on his first career interception.

- MLB James Laurinaitis was all over the place. He was a tackling machine as usual and was good in coverage, including a nice pass breakup in the first half.

- Some nice defensive statistics that made a big difference: the Redskins were 1-of-10 on third downs and 0-for-3 in the red zone. The Rams defense held their third straight opponent to 17 points or less. You can win a lot of games in the NFL with that type of production.

- Center Jason Brown awarded the game ball to coach Steve Spagnuolo for sticking with his team through thick and thin. Much deserved for the Rams’ leader.

- That’ll do it for tonight, Rams fans. The team has been given a “Victory Monday” and will be off tomorrow. But we’ll be here to put a bow on this one and wrap it up before moving on to Seattle week preparation. Have a good night and enjoy the win everybody.

Rams Ready for Raiders

- The Rams just completed Friday’s practice and their preparation for Sunday’s game at Oakland. Coach Steve Spagnuolo was pleased with the work his team did this week and said he’s looking forward to the challenge of playing in Oakland. In his time in the league. Spagnuolo said it’s the one place he has yet to coach but he thinks he has a good idea of the atmosphere considering his past….

“I have gotten a pretty good indication of what it’s supposed to be like,” Spagnuolo said. “But you’ve got to remember I coached in Philadelphia for eight years. The one thing I will say and I am sure it’s the same way in Oakland, it’s passion for NFL football. So I respect that.”

- On the injury front, the Rams got pretty good news on a  pair of defensive tackles. Clifton Ryan returned to the facility on Friday after severe migraine headaches left him spending most of the past two days in the hospital. Ryan did not practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday but Spagnuolo said if Ryan seems OK in the next day, he’d probably be good to go against Oakland.

- Fellow DT Darell Scott suffered a knee injury in Thursday’s practice but it was not serious. In fact, Scott didn’t even need an MRI and should be good to go against the Raiders.

- Cornerback Justin King did a little more work on Friday and the Rams are hopeful he’ll be ready to go Sunday. He is questionable and could be a gametime decision.

- Cornerback Kevin Dockery did not practice again because of his hamstring and isn’t likely to play.

- Considering the injuries, the Rams have already put into place some contingency plans.

- It looks almost certain that CB Jerome Murphy will make his debut as the team’s nickel corner. He worked there all week and Spagnuolo said

“(He’s done) pretty good,” Spagnuolo said. “We are still working with a rookie getting ready for his first NFL regular season game. But Jerome is a competitor so long as he competes he’ll be fine.”

- Linebacker Bryan Kehl has only been with the Rams a few days but because they are short on numbers at the position and on special teams, he’s likely to be active.

“He may have to,” Spagnuolo said. “I think we are looking at that. I’m sure Tom McMahon has got him up to speed.”

- It looks like rookie WR Dominique Curry will be active for the first time this week. After losing special teams studs Chris Chamberlain and Josh Hull, the Rams could turn to Curry to help out.

“I think that’s a good possibility,” Spagnuolo said. “He’s worked in there quite a bit. Now once we get all these injured people down, we will get to the 45.”

- The Rams have a method for rewarding practice squad players by giving one the chance to travel with the team every week based on how they help the team in practice. This week, it’s WR Danario Alexander who will get the experience of traveling.

- As always thanks for following along. Stay tuned for updates from Oakland this weekend and complete coverage on Sunday evening.