Rams re-sign QB Clemens

Date: Tue, Apr 17, 2012

The Rams have reached a one-year deal with QB Kellen Clemens, according to PFW correspondent Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Financial terms were not announced.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Fisher finalizes coaching staff

Date: Tue, Apr 10, 2012

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher finalized his coaching staff today and named Dave McGinnis as assistant head coach.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Missing coordinator far from only problem for Rams' defense

Date: Fri, Apr 6, 2012

A much bigger problem right now for the Rams' defense than the indefinite suspension of coordinator Gregg Williams is finding enough starters.

Read Full Football Blog Post

St. Louis Rams

Date: Thu, Apr 5, 2012

Here are the St. Louis Ramstop three needs going into the draft, subject to any free-agent signings it may make before then.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Former Bears, Lions RB Jones visits Rams

Date: Wed, Sep 22, 2010

Former Bears and Lions RB Kevin Jones visited the Rams this week. The Rams also had seven veteran players try out, including former Patriots DT Damione Lewis, who started all 16 games with Carolina in 2009.

The other players trying out with St. Louis were LB Eric Alexander, whom the Patriots cut Sept. 3; WR Reggie Brown, whom the Buccaneers released Sept. 6; WR Yamon Figurs, whom the Raiders released Sept. 16; DT Dre Moore, whom the Buccaneers released Sept. 4; and DB Cletis Gordon and DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, who were released by Dallas Sept. 4.

Jones, 28, last appeared in an NFL game with Chicago in 2008.

The way we see it

The tryouts for Lewis, Moore and Saddler-McQueen come after starting DT Darell Scott suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday at Oakland.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Near misses aren't good enough for Rams

Date: Wed, Sep 22, 2010

Is it too early for the Rams to be facing a "must win" situation against the Redskins at home this Sunday?

Hell no.

No matter how close they come, the Rams are still losing. Week after week, even against weak opponents like the Raiders.

Close just doesn't cut it anymore, especially considering the disappearing acts on both sides of the ball in the second halves of both the Rams' losses so far this season.

Last Sunday in Oakland, the Raiders adjusted at halftime by deciding to send eight men in the box after Steven Jackson, who had 67 yards on 14 carries in the first half and looked like he was on his way to a monster outing. The Rams' offense countered by retreating into the same bland shell that it has been in more often than not under the direction of coordinator Pat Shurmur.

The Rams gained only 12 yards in the third quarter against Oakland. Granted, their weapons on offense are limited, with the lack of an outside threat being especially apparent in Week Two.

But 12 yards in the third quarter is pathetic.

That the Rams made both the Cardinals and Raiders sweat big-time bullets is no longer some sort of consolation. Both the Cardinals and Raiders were eminently beatable. But the Rams just keep losing, 27 of their last 28 games.

I still think there's a lot to like about Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, but in my mind his grace period is over.

With four of their first six games at home, a couple of early victories in that span could work wonders for the team as a drawing card that's genuinely worth the hefty price of admission at pro football games these days.

The Rams can beat the Redskins, who allowed the Texans to score the final 20 points in their overtime loss to Houston in Week Two.

The Rams know something about self-destruction. They've already turned it into an art form this season, and there isn't even any frost on the ground yet.

One other thing before signing off: Show me the blitzes!

After blitzing like crazy against the Cardinals — a standard tactic Spagnuolo capitalized on as the highly successful defensive coordinator of the Giants — the Rams' defense opted for a much more passive approach against the Raiders.

Enough with all this timidity. The Rams need to be bolder on both sides of the ball. Much bolder. They need to start being the team that makes adjustments that make a difference instead of always being the victim.

They need to show some creativity and be the aggressors. After all, what do they have to lose — except just another game?

Read Full Football Blog Post

Report: Rams still interested in WR Jackson

Date: Mon, Sep 20, 2010

Brian Stull of 101-ESPN in St. Louis reported Monday that the Rams are still interested in Chargers WR Vincent Jackson. They have been reported as a team that received permission to speak with Jackson.

Jackson has to sign a contract with the Chargers and get traded by 4 p.m. ET this Wednesday if he wants to be available with his new club for its fifth game. He is suspended for three games by the league for violating the league's substance-abuse policy and another three for being on the roster-exempt list. Jackson won an appeal last week to reduce the six-game suspension to four if he is traded, but a trade needs to happen by the deadline.

The Rams lost top WR Donnie Avery for the season after he suffered an injury in the preseason.

The way we see it

Mark Clayton has been good for the Rams this season, but he is more suited to be a No. 2 than a No. 1 receiver. If St. Louis gets Jackson, that's not a bad 1-2 punch. It makes sense for the Rams, who have been looking to fill the void at the No. 1 WR spot. Avery was supposed to be the top guy for the future, but he has been injury-prone. The only downside is Jackson's off-the-field issues.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Spagnuolo updates Rams injuries

Date: Mon, Sep 20, 2010

Head coach Steve Spagnuolo gave updates on a slew of Rams injuries suffered in their Week Two loss to the Raiders.

TE Billy Bajema has an MCL injury and will miss 2-4 weeks. TE Daniel Fells also ahs an MCL injury, but is day-to-day.

S Craig Dahl has a concussion and will go through tests this week but his status is up in the air. S James Butler would start in his place.

DT Darell Scott has a high ankle sprain and will miss extended time.

The way we see it

QB Sam Bradford likes to throw to his tight ends, and the position is very banged up with rookie Michael Hoomanawanui already out for up to eight weeks. Fells should be able to go, but their only TEs left are journeyman Darcy Johnson and rookie Fendi Onobun. In the secondary, James Butler is normally the starter so there is not a huge drop-off if Dahl is not able to go. The Rams have a solid safety coprs. They are thin at the DT spot with Clifton Ryan missing the Week Two game and high ankle sprains can keep linemen out for a long time.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Bradford's debut typical for QBs drafted first

Date: Sun, Sep 19, 2010

Rams QB Sam Bradford's first NFL start was action-packed, and though it came in a 17-13 St. Louis loss, it was promising.

Bradford carried a heavy workload in his debut, completing 32-of-55 passes for 253 yards with one touchdown against Arizona. Bradford quickly established a good rapport with newly acquired WR Mark Clayton, targeting him 16 times and connecting with him on 10 completions for 119 yards. However, Bradford threw three interceptions, including one with the Rams just outside the Cardinals' 20-yard line with less than two minutes left in the game. Bradford was also sacked twice.

With Bradford's debut in the books, we explore how every other quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the last 25 years has fared in his first start. Bradford, the seventh rookie quarterback selected No. 1 to start in Week One of his first season since 1985, was the sixth to lose his debut. David Carr is the only No. 1 pick to win in Week One in this period.

Quarterbacks are listed in reverse chronological order by year drafted:

2009 — Lions QB Matthew Stafford

Stafford was intercepted three times in his debut, a 45-27 loss at eventual Super Bowl-champion New Orleans in Week One. Stafford rushed for a TD and completed 16-of-37 passes for 205 yards.

2007 — Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell

Russell got his first start in the season finale vs. San Diego and played one of his better games as a pro, completing 23-of-31 passes for 224 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 30-17 loss.

2005 — 49ers QB Alex Smith

The Colts limited Smith to 74 yards passing and intercepted him four times in a 28-3 loss at San Francisco in Week Five.

2004 — Giants QB Eli Manning

Manning, who earned his first start in late November, was picked off twice in his debut vs. the Falcons, including once in Atlanta territory. Manning threw for 162 yards and tossed a TD pass to TE Jeremy Shockey, but the host Giants fell 14-10.

2003 — Bengals QB Carson Palmer

Palmer, a backup to Jon Kitna in 2003, made his debut at the Meadowlands vs. the Jets in the opening week of '04 and made an immediately positive impression, throwing for 248 yards and two TDs. However, his lone interception secured a 31-24 win for the Jets.

2002 — Texans QB David Carr

Carr broke a 10-10 tie with a 65-yard TD toss to Corey Bradford as Houston upset Dallas 19-10 in the Texans' first-ever game.

2001 — Falcons QB Michael Vick

Vick, getting his first career start in his eighth pro game with starter Chris Chandler injured, completed just 4-of-12 passes for 32 yards and shared playing time with Doug Johnson, but he did throw a TD pass, and ­Atlanta beat Dallas 20-13.

1999 — Browns QB Tim Couch

Couch threw a 39-yard TD pass to Kevin Johnson in his first start in Week Two at Tennessee, but he was also sacked seven times, once for a safety, in a 26-9 loss.

1998 — Colts QB Peyton Manning

Manning threw for 302 yards and a TD vs. Miami in Week One, but he was intercepted three times. The last pick, returned for a TD by CB Terrell Buckley, sealed a 24-15 win for Miami.

1993 — Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe

Bledsoe drew the tall task of debuting at defending AFC-champion Buffalo in Week One. He helped New England stay close with two TD passes, but Buffalo pulled away to win 38-14. Bledsoe completed 14-of-30 passes for 148 yards and one pick.

1990 — Colts QB Jeff George

George's debut, which came in Indianapolis' opening game, ended in the fourth quarter when he suffered a concussion. Before the injury, he completed 13-of-24 passes for 160 yards with one TD and no interceptions against host Buffalo, which won 26-10.

1989 — Cowboys QB Troy Aikman

Aikman did not fare well in his debut, throwing two interceptions and completing just 17-of-35 passes for 180 yards in a 28-0 loss at New Orleans in Week One.

1987 — Buccaneers QB Vinny Testaverde

Testaverde, starting in Tampa Bay's 12th game, struggled early against a strong Saints defense, fumbling on each of his two drives, which led to a pair of New Orleans TDs. Later, he settled down and threw for a rookie single-game record of 369 yards with two TDs on 22-of-47 passing. He also rushed for a TD in a 44-34 Buccaneers defeat.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Rams rule DT Ryan, CB Dockery out for Week Two

Date: Sat, Sep 18, 2010

The Rams downgraded DT Clifton Ryan from questionable to out for their Week Two matchup with the Raiders. Ryan, who was hospitalized with migraines Wednesday night, stretched with the team Friday but did not participate in drills. He did not make the trip to Oakland.

"I've had them (migraines) before," Ryan told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch earlier in the week. "I'll be all right. You'll see me Sunday."

Backup CB Kevin Dockery was downgraded from doubtful to out, and the Rams promoted rookie CB Marquis Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster. They waived rookie QB Thaddeus Lewis.

The way we see it

Ryan, a starter up front, made a big play in Week One when he recovered a fumble and almost scored, only to be caught from behind by Cardinals WR Steve Breaston and fumbling it back to Arizona. The team is pleased with DT Fred Robbins, an 11-year veteran. Dockery normally plays in nickel packages as does Justin King (questionable; hamstring). Because of the injuries at the CB position, the rookie Johnson might get some playing time against the Raiders.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Rams' CB situation a mixed bag

Date: Fri, Sep 17, 2010

For the Rams to turn the corner out of the NFC West cellar, team insiders agree that a big key will be a much better effort from a CB corps that failed to register a single interception one season ago.

As far as the starting CBs are concerned, we hear the team likes what it has in Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher on the left side and right side, respectively, their durability issues notwithstanding.

Bartell had a very solid season-opening performance matched up against Larry Fitzgerald, blanketing the Cardinals' ace receiver practically the entire game. Fitzgerald did register a game-winning TD catch, but down to only two healthy cornerbacks after both Justin King and Kevin Dockery suffered hamstring injuries in the second half, the Rams were in zone coverage at the time.

"He looks more like the guy who played so well in 2008, when he had a bunch of pass breakups that led to a new contract," one team insider said of Bartell. "He appears to have regained the closing speed he lost while trying to play through a thigh injury last year.

"He doesn't have the greatest hands in the world (as evidenced by the interception he muffed in Week One that observers agree probably would have resulted in a sure TD), but he looks pretty good."

Fletcher, meanwhile, is a much less-proven commodity entering his second season.

"But he has a lot of potential," the insider said. "He fits the bill with his long arms and good size. After the serious knee injury he suffered last year that required a couple of surgeries, we didn't think we'd see him for at least a full calendar year. But he's come back strong."

Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo agrees with that assessment.

"That wasn't an easy injury to come back from," Spagnuolo said. "He's probably still a rookie in a lot of ways because he only, I think, played three games last year where he actually was in there playing. But he's done a great job in practice."

The Rams are far less enamored with their backup CB situation, which the insider referred to as "a wing and a prayer right now."

The hope is that third-round rookie Jerome Murphy, who has great size and physicality but needs to maintain focus, can come to the rescue in the nickel role.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Three Rams injured in Week One

Date: Mon, Sep 13, 2010

The hits just keep coming for the Rams. After suffering a tough loss on Sunday to the division-rival Cardinals, the team announced Monday that three key players might miss time due to injuries.

LB Chris Chamberlain, who led the team in with 28 tackles in special-teams coverage in 2009, will miss 6-8 weeks with turf toe on his left foot. He was also the backup to WLB Larry Grant. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo said that the team might place Chamberlain on injured reserve.

Nickel CB Kevin Dockery strained his left hamstring and might miss the Rams' next game vs. Oakland. Rookie TE Michael Hoomanawanui suffered a high left ankle sprain; it is unknown how much time he will miss.

The way we see it

Chamberlain's contributions on special teams will hurt the Rams, who will need some younger players to step up in that role. QB Sam Bradford will miss Hoomanawanui, who developed a rapport in the preseason, connecting for a pair of touchdowns.

For authoritative coverage and analysis of NFL news, free agency and fantasy football, visitProFootballWeekly.com.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Clayton catches on very quickly with Rams

Date: Fri, Sep 10, 2010

If Mark Clayton's first week as a Ram is any indication, he could be on a fast track to becoming the team's No. 1 receiver. "He proved to be an incredibly quick study and fit right in," one daily team observer said of Clayton, who was acquired in a trade with Baltimore six days before the season opener. "One of the coaches told me he didn't make one mental error in his first three practices." That's a pretty impressive feat, considering Clayton was learning a whole new terminology on the fly. "He's definitely in the top three right away with Laurent Robinson and Danny Amendola," the observer said. "He's playing in (injured WR) Donnie Avery's "Z" spot, even though the slot is his best position, which is the case with all the Rams' receivers, it seems." Clayton figures to benefit from his previous summer workouts in Norman, Okla., with rookie starting QB Sam Bradford, a fellow OU graduate.

For authoritative coverage and analysis of NFL news, free agency and fantasy football, visit ProFootballWeekly.com.

Read Full Football Blog Post

Rams' Spagnuolo calls Clayton 'good fit'

Date: Wed, Sep 8, 2010

Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said Wednesday that WR Mark Clayton, acquired from Baltimore Monday, was working at the "Z" receiver in the club's base offense and figures to play inside initially in three-WR sets.

"He's a quick guy," Spagnuolo said of Clayton. "I think he can help these young guys a little bit. It seemed like a pretty good fit for us."

Spagnuolo did not say how much Clayton might play in the season opener vs. Arizona on Sunday.

Clayton caught 34 passes for 480 yards and two TDs last season for the Ravens. Baltimore's acquisition of former Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh made Clayton expendable. Clayton, who has made 59 career starts, adds an experienced target to a receiving corps that lost deep threat Donnie Avery to a season-ending knee injury in August.

"I'm excited," Clayton said. "I'm just trying to get the system down as much as possible and being able to help the team."

In other Rams news, Spagnuolo announced RB Steven Jackson will be the offense's captain and S O.J. Atogwe will captain the defense. Captains were chosen by player vote.

For authoritative coverage and analysis of NFL news, free agency and fantasy football, visit ProFootballWeekly.com.

Read Full Football Blog Post