In 2010, rookie Sam Bradford threw 590 passes. That’s a lot.

That season, the Rams offense ranked 21st in passing and 25th in rushing. The offense was bashed for being too conservative by a lot of fans, including me, but it did keep Bradford relatively clean.

He was only sacked 34 times that season, and he played all 16 games.

In 2011, Bradford was on pace to throw about 575-580 passes, which is also a lot. However, anybody who watched the Rams play last year knows that Bradford was being asked to throw a totally different type of pass.

The new offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, brought in an offense that was very complicated, and with the lockout, no time to prepare, several new, young, inexperienced players…

It was just a mess.

Bradford was basically being asked to hold the ball a lot longer, as the receivers had deeper routes to run, routes that took longer to develop. This requires (a) the O Line to pass-protect longer and (b) the receiver to actually get open.

When receivers didn’t get open, and Bradford was left holding the ball, he got beaten to a pulp. While Bradford was sacked 34 times in 2010 (5.4 percent sack rate), playing in all 16 games, he was sacked 36 times (9.2 percent sack rate) in 2011, playing in only 10 games.

To be fair, some of the blame has to fall on Bradford. As the pounding started to take its toll, Bradford was holding the ball too long, and he began to appear indecisive.

Of course, if I was standing back there getting the hell beaten out of me, I’d probably hold the ball too long, too.

Bradford still doesn’t have an elite wide receiver to throw to. He doesn’t have a proven tight end. Hopefully, this year, Steve Smith proves he has something left in the tank, Danny Amendola returns to his 2010 form and second-year tight end Lance Kendricks plays up to his talent level.

The person who could help all of those guys the most is Bradford. The great QBs in the NFL make their receivers better.

As Bradford enters his third season, it’s time for him to be the player the Rams drafted him to be. He needs help. He needs protection. He needs guys to catch the ball.

Most of all, he needs to step up—because Bradford will have the biggest impact on the Rams’ season if he does.

Paul Boudreau might just be the most important man at Rams’ Park. He is the key to protecting Sam Bradford. It’s also his job to make sure holes open up for Steven Jackson. He is the person responsible for the Rams’ offense avoiding those ‘three-and-outs’ that wear out the Rams’ defense.

Paul Boudreau is the Rams’ offensive line coach, and he should be a major person of interest for Rams’ fans everywhere.

Boudreau might be as important as any coach on the Rams’ staff in 2012. If recent history has taught us anything, it’s that the game is won or lost in the trenches, right?

If your offensive line is constantly getting killed, then your QB has no time to throw, so it doesn’t matter if your receivers are good or not. If your O Line is getting pushed backwards on every play, then it doesn’t matter that you have Steven Jackson on your team, because he has no holes to run through.

Football is still a man’s game, and it is Paul Boudreau’s job to make sure the men up front start playing aggressive, physical, nasty football again.

I did a little research on Boudreau, and I found out some interesting facts about him that should encourage Rams’ fans.

• Paul Boudreau will be entering his 26th season as an NFL coach.
• During that time, he has coached the O Line in New Orleans, Detroit, Miami, New England, Carolina, Jacksonville, St. Louis (2006-2007), Atlanta and now St. Louis again.
• Boudreau has coached lines that helped Barry Sanders rush for over 1,500 yards three times.
• Boudreau’s O Line led to Steven Jackson rushing for a career best 1,528 yards in 2006.
• Boudreau’s O Line led to Michael Turner rushing for a career best 1,699 yards in 2008.

Boudreau inherited an O Line that gave up 47 sacks in 2007. That same group of “no-name O Lineman” protected Matt Ryan, then a rookie in 2008, and only allowed 17 sacks (3.8 percent) in 2008, 19 sacks (4.0 percent) in 2009, 23 sacks (3.9 percent) in 2010, and 23 sacks (4.4 percent) in 2011.

It should be noted that the Falcons lost Harvey Dahl via free agency (to the Rams) prior to the 2011 season, and they also suffered various injuries to their O Line. Still, that 4.4 percent sack rate is less than half of the 9.2 percent that the Rams gave up in 2011.

Falcons’ fans were sad to see Boudreau leave.

If Boudreau can get the Rams’ O Line to play up to their talent level, this unit could single handedly elevate the Rams to a playoff contender in 2012.

Their is high priced talent across the line. Dahl was a high priced acquisition in 2011, Scott Wells was a high priced free agent pickup in 2012, Jason Smith was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft and Rodger Saffold was the No. 33 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

The only position that is a question mark in the group is left guard—where incumbent Jacob Bell left via free agency.

The Rams have elite talent at quarterback (Bradford), running back (Jackson), and they have emerging young players at tight end (Lance Kendricks) and receiver (Brian Quick, Chris Givens, Greg Salas, etc). If the O Line does their job, the Rams’ offense could experience a serious breakout in 2012.

It’s all up to the O Line. Paul Boudreau is the man assigned with the task of “lighting a fire” under this group, and based on his history, he is just the man for the job.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive coordinator McDaniels, who then was the coordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defenses and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offense down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ST. LOUIS – Quarterback Sam Bradford was back on the practice field Saturday for the St. Louis Rams in preparing the Rams for their game against the Seahawks on Monday in Seattle.

Bradford, hampered by a high left ankle sprain, did not practice at all this week and missed last week’s game at San Francisco. He sustained the ankle injury Oct. 16 at Green Bay and missed two games.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said he’s not ready to name him the starter.

“The test here, you know, when I talk with (trainer) Reggie (Scott) is see how it feels tomorrow,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are treading lightly and going safe. I will tell you this, if you could have seen the look on his eye when I told him he wasn’t going to play last week, you know, that’s hard to do.

“You know him. We’ll see and be smart about it.”

Bradford took less than half of the practice snaps, splitting time with Kellen Clemens, who was signed Thursday after he was cut Wednesday by Houston.

Clemens split duties Friday with No. 3 quarterback Tom Brandstater, who did not take any reps with the first team Saturday. Brandstater, who is in his second year out of Fresno State, has not played in an NFL game.

No. 2 quarterback A. J. Feeley is out with a fractured right thumb, which he hurt against San Francisco.

In a conference call earlier this week, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he expects to see Bradford.

“We’re kind of counting on Sam getting back in there,” Carroll said. “And figuring that by resting him and not having him go last week, he’ll probably be able to play.”

In case Bradford can’t go, Spagnuolo said he is confident in using Clemens.

Clemens caught Spagnuolo’s eye with his practice performance.

“I’ll tell you what, I am thoroughly impressed with the command in the huddle and spitting out the verbiage and just some little things I saw in there,” Spagnuolo said. “He did a nice job with it.”

Knowing the system helps, Clemens said. When he was with the Jets and working with the scout team for five seasons, he had to imitate the New England Patriots system twice each season.

Rams offensive co-ordinator McDaniels, who then was the co-ordinator the Patriots, worked him out before the 2006 draft.

“He’s played in games and he’s had to handle systems and defences and had to add some tough challenges in his career, too,” McDaniels said. “So he’s a guy that battles.”

The Jets selected him in the second round. In his time there, he played behind Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez. In 2007 when Pennington was hurt, Clemens started eight games and threw for 1,529 yards and five touchdowns with 10 inceptions.

He joined Washington in training camp last summer but was released. He was signed by the Texans on Nov. 23, after starting quarterback Matt Schaub was placed on injured reserve and was released this week before getting a call from the Rams.

In his NFL career, Clemens has thrown for 1,686 yards and five touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

“It’s been a whirlwind so far,” Clemens said. “It’s just a matter of I was speaking Spanish last week and now I’m speaking German trying to get this offence down. It’s a matter of making sure I can call the play in the huddle the correct way, get the guys up to the line of scrimmage and give us an opportunity.”

If called upon against the Seahawks, Clemens said he will be ready to go.

“Two practices, I don’t think we have to throw the panic flag completely,” Clemens said. “There’s some newness having me in there but it’ll be doable. I’m not going to guarantee anything.”

NOTES: KR Quinn Porter (abdomen) is out Monday as is Feeley. … FB Britt Miller (knee) did not practice Saturday. … DE Chris Long (ankle) and DT Fred Robbins (back) were limited Saturday. … TE Lance Kendricks did not practice Saturday and was out of town for personal reasons, Spagnuolo said. He will play Monday.

Read More: Jerious Norwood (RB – STL), Bryan Kehl (LB – STL), Justin King (CB – STL), Jason Smith (OT – STL), Brandon Gibson (WR – STL), Eugene Sims (DE – STL), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Josh Hull (LB – STL), Darian Stewart (S – STL), Lance Kendricks (TE – STL), Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams are playing the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday as they hope to clear their way out of sole possession of last place in the NFC West, and for once quarterback Sam Bradford isn’t on the injury report. The team recently released its injury report for Wednesday practices through its official Twitter feed, which is shown below:

Limited Participtation

- WR Danario Alexander

- RB Jerious Norwood

- LB Bryan Kehl

- TE Lance Kendricks

- CB Justin King

- LB Josh Hull

- DE Eugene Sims

- S Darian Stewart

Did Not Practice

- OT Jason Smith

- RB Cadillac Williams

- WR Brandon Gibson

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information. For more on Sunday’s game, check out Turf Show Times, SB Nation’s St. Louis Rams blog, and Field Gulls, SB Nation’s Seattle Seahawks blog.

Two weeks ago in a 31-21 victory over New Orleans, the Rams gave up 283 yards. Only a touchdown with 6 seconds remaining made the final score seem closer than it was.

Such signs of progress are welcome for the Rams (1-7), who play at Cleveland (3-5) this weekend.

“We want to play well again Sunday,” Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said Friday. “I think it’s just players deciding to do all the things you need to do to play good defensive football. Hopefully that will continue because I firmly believe you can’t win in this league unless you play good defense.”

What’s helped the defense, too, is the Rams holding leads the last two weeks. That had not happened in the previous six games where the Rams led for about six minutes total.

Playing with a lead has allowed the defensive front line to rush more effectively. Chris Long has four sacks in the last two games while fellow defensive end Robert Quinn, the Rams’ top draft choice at No. 14 overall, has two.

Defensive coordinator Ken Flajole has noticed the rush defense performing well, too.

“It’s gotten better. We’re not ready to anoint anybody yet,” Flajole said. “It’s just maybe some things have taken hold. We’ve got to continue to work at it and it’s a work in progress. It’ll be something we’ll have to address every week.”

The Cardinals gained only 70 yards rushing. The Saints were held to just 56 yards rushing.

“We’ve improved. We’ve done some things well,” Long said. “It’s been a major focus. We’ve love to just continue that and make more plays. We’re missing some opportunities that could really help our team out — where we could try and score on defense or make a big play in the backfield. We need to stop teams in key situations and help our offense out.”

The defense did fall short in that area. Down 13-6, the Cardinals put together a nine-play drive that did not have any third downs. Arizona went 84 yards and tied the game with 4:54 left after a 13-yard TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald.

“One drive too many,” Long said. “Next time, we just need to recognize when we’re in that situation and try to really hunker down and get it done.”

Injuries have taken their toll with cornerbacks Ron Bartell, Tim Atchison, Bradley Fletcher and Brian Jackson all being placed on the injured reserve list.

Players have been coming and going all season but now it’s settled down.

“I know everybody’s name,” Flajole quipped. “Sometimes you’re introducing yourself out on the field. They’ve come along. Again everyday, every rep that they take, the longer they’re in our system the more they, I think, understand the nuances, the details of what we’re trying to do and that can only help us.”

The defense does not yet have an identity, Long said.

“We just need to do our jobs,” Long said. “That’s a good identity to have is just being dependable. We need to be dependable. We’ve been dependable the last two weeks and we’ll try to continue that.”

Notes: About 150 members of all the branches of service including some from Scott Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood along with some veterans attended practice. The Rams signed autographs afterward. Marine Sgt. Daniel Rogers presented Spagnuolo with a battalion coin. … TE Lance Kendricks (foot) and WR Danario Alexander (hamstring) will not play Sunday. … QB Sam Bradford (ankle) was limited again Friday in practice. “We want to get him to Sunday as healthy as possible,” Spagnuolo said.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ST. LOUIS (AP)—The St. Louis Rams’ defense had its best day of the season
last weekend. After Patrick Peterson’s(notes) 99-yard punt return in overtime at
Arizona, it was lost in the shuffle.

The Rams defense held the Cardinals to 262 total yards in the 19-13 loss.
The Cardinals converted just two of their 10 third-down plays.

Two weeks ago in a 31-21 victory over New Orleans, the Rams gave up 283
yards. Only a touchdown with 6 seconds remaining made the final score seem
closer than it was.

Such signs of progress are welcome for the Rams (1-7), who play at Cleveland
(3-5) this weekend.

“We want to play well again Sunday,” Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said
Friday. “I think it’s just players deciding to do all the things you need to do
to play good defensive football. Hopefully that will continue because I firmly
believe you can’t win in this league unless you play good defense.”

What’s helped the defense, too, is the Rams holding leads the last two
weeks. That had not happened in the previous six games where the Rams led for
about six minutes total.

Playing with a lead has allowed the defensive front line to rush more
effectively. Chris Long(notes) has four sacks in the last two games while fellow
defensive end Robert Quinn(notes), the Rams’ top draft choice at No. 14 overall, has
two.

Defensive coordinator Ken Flajole has noticed the rush defense performing
well, too.

“It’s gotten better. We’re not ready to anoint anybody yet,” Flajole said.
“It’s just maybe some things have taken hold. We’ve got to continue to work at
it and it’s a work in progress. It’ll be something we’ll have to address every
week.”

The Cardinals gained only 70 yards rushing. The Saints were held to just 56
yards rushing.

“We’ve improved. We’ve done some things well,” Long said. “It’s been a
major focus. We’ve love to just continue that and make more plays. We’re missing
some opportunities that could really help our team out—where we could try and
score on defense or make a big play in the backfield. We need to stop teams in
key situations and help our offense out.”

The defense did fall short in that area. Down 13-6, the Cardinals put
together a nine-play drive that did not have any third downs. Arizona went 84
yards and tied the game with 4:54 left after a 13-yard TD pass to Larry
Fitzgerald(notes).

“One drive too many,” Long said. “Next time, we just need to recognize
when we’re in that situation and try to really hunker down and get it done.”

Injuries have taken their toll with cornerbacks Ron Bartell(notes), Tim Atchison(notes),
Bradley Fletcher(notes) and Brian Jackson(notes) all being placed on the injured reserve list.

Players have been coming and going all season but now it’s settled down.

“I know everybody’s name,” Flajole quipped. “Sometimes you’re introducing
yourself out on the field. They’ve come along. Again everyday, every rep that
they take, the longer they’re in our system the more they, I think, understand
the nuances, the details of what we’re trying to do and that can only help us.”

The defense does not yet have an identity, Long said.

“We just need to do our jobs,” Long said. “That’s a good identity to have
is just being dependable. We need to be dependable. We’ve been dependable the
last two weeks and we’ll try to continue that.”

Notes: About 150 members of all the branches of service including some from
Scott Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood along with some veterans attended
practice. The Rams signed autographs afterward. Marine Sgt. Daniel Rogers
presented Spagnuolo with a battalion coin. … TE Lance Kendricks(notes) (foot) and WR
Danario Alexander(notes) (hamstring) will not play Sunday. … QB Sam Bradford(notes) (ankle)
was limited again Friday in practice. “We want to get him to Sunday as healthy
as possible,” Spagnuolo said.

Read More: Peyton Hillis (RB – CLE), Montario Hardesty (RB – CLE), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Danario Alexander (WR – STL), Lance Kendricks (TE – STL), Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams will face SB Nation Cleveland’s own Cleveland Browns this weekend. The Rams don’t quite have the injury problems that Cleveland has with Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty already ruled out, but a few skill players are on the mend.

The Rams issued their first injury report of the week on Wednesday with receiving options Danario Alexander and Lance Kendricks both missing practice. Alexander is still nursing a hamstring injury while Kendricks, the rookie tight end, is recovering from a foot injury.

The biggest name on the injury report, though, is quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford was limited, meaning he should be able to go on Sunday, but a report from the Associated Press indicates he won’t be completely healthy.

The good news for Bradford is there were no setbacks from the Cardinals loss. He’s still wearing a brace but said his ankle “definitely” feels better than last week at this time, and ditched the walking boot the day after the game. Barring further injury, he expects the ankle to be healed in two or three weeks.

A full rundown of the Rams injury report is included on the team’s website. 

Greg Salas ran a simple crossing route, caught the ball with those sure hands of his and was tackled for a short gain.  It was a routine play, the kind you see about two dozen times in a typical NFL football game.

Except, this time, Greg Salas didn’t get up. 

When I saw Salas grabbing his leg after such a routine play, I knew it was bad.  It’s always bad when a play looks just as normal as it can be, but the player in question can’t get up.  That’s when you know the slow motion replay is coming.

Sure enough, they showed the replay.  Sure enough, Greg Salas’ leg was not supposed to bend that way.

So, out came the emergency crew with the air cast, and just like that, Greg Salas’ season was over.  It was a huge blow to the Rams, who don’t have a ton of playmakers on offense to begin with.  Salas was one of the few promising young players the Rams had on that side of the ball.

I’ve been beating the Salas drum for weeks now.  I love his toughness, love his hands and I thought that in time he could actually be an upgrade over Danny Amendola.

You remember Amendola, right?

He was the Rams’ slot receiver prior to Salas taking over that role.  Amendola was Sam Bradford’s favorite target, but he got hurt during Week 1 when his elbow bent about 90 degrees in the wrong direction.

So it looks like the Rams have to go back to the drawing board, again. 

Amendola won’t be back until next season, and I’d say the same is true about Salas.  Second-year receiver Danario Alexander can’t seem to stay healthy (hamstring, knee), and rookie tight end Lance Kendricks also left yesterday’s game with an apparent injury (foot/ankle). 

In a lost season, at least these young guys were getting their feet wet.  Now, it looks like Sam Bradford, once again, will have to break in some new receivers.

Read More: Michael Hoomanawanui (TE – STL), Lance Kendricks (TE – STL), St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams’ offense has been firing on more cylinders than usual against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9, but they could be without rookie tight end Lance Kendricks for a while if his foot injury turns out to be serious. Or it’s an ankle injury—or it’s a leg injury—or, suffice it to say, Twitter and the football community at large are as confused as they are concerned about the injury to a guy who’s struggled since being anointed one of the prime fantasy football sleepers of the 2011 NFL season.

Whatever it is, we know that Kendricks was carted off the field and is questionable to return. In the meantime ankle-injury-magnet Michael Hoomanawanui, coming off one of his better games in Week 8, is the best bet to see action in this newly reinvigorated Rams offense. For more updates, follow along in this storystream or check out Turf Show Times, the best St. Louis Rams blog on the internet, so far as we can tell.

By Dan Moore

– Managing Editor

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Oct 8, 2011 – Just about everyone on the St. Louis Rams could use a week off after starting off 0-4, both mentally (Greg Salas and Lance Kendricks are probably not enjoying their rookie seasons as much as they’d like) and physically (Sam Bradford has been sacked 18 times in four games, which leads the NFL and is more than half of his 2010 total.) But nobody could use it as much as Steven Jackson, who came back early from his Week 1 quad injury and hasn’t looked quite right in his two games back. 

The thing about Jackson is that the only way to get him to voluntarily not sacrifice his body to even more carries is to just not schedule a game that week, and even then it’s an open question as to whether he’ll actually believe you. But Jackson needs the time off—in his first full game since returning to the offense he made 17 carries for just 45 yards and was, along with the rest of the offense, unable to make any headway against the Washington Redskins. 

With the wide receivers catatonic, a healthy Jackson could make a major difference in the passing game as well as on the ground; he’ll have to play the Danny Amendola/Lance Kendricks role if Sam Bradford is to have any stability in the short game that might set up the long. 

Read More: Steven Jackson (RB – STL), Danny Amendola (WR – STL), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Lance Kendricks (TE – STL), Greg Salas (WR – STL), St. Louis Rams

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ANALYSIS/OPINION:

A review of the best and worst performances by the Washington Redskins‘ defense and some observations after rewatching the TV broadcast of their 17-10 win over the St. Louis Rams.

GAME BALLS

ROLB BRIAN ORAKPO:Orakpo deserved the NFC defensive player of the week honor he received for this performance. Afterward, he said it was reminiscent of his four-sack game against Oakland in his rookie year. There were stretches last Sunday when LT Rodger Saffold simply couldn’t block him.

Orakpo had 2.5 sacks, all of them on bull-rushes and 1.5 from a 4-point stance. He beat Saffold twice by staying low and exploding up into his pads. On the half-sack he shared with DE Stephen Bowen at the end of the first half, Orakpo drove into Saffold so powerfully that he lifted Saffold onto one leg. Orakpo got his hands into Saffold’s chest, too. It was over right then.

He beat Rams C Jason Brown on his other sack. St. Louis’ protection on the play was very strange. The Rams ran a play-action stretch play to the right, away from Orakpo’s side. As the line blocked play-side, Brown peeled back to block Orakpo coming from the left. Why the Rams thought it a good idea to have their center block a two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker in space is probably a good indication why they’re 0-4.

Orakpo also set up Bowen’s fourth-quarter sack. He rushed from an inside linebacker’s position at Saffold, who was lined up over Bowen. LG Tony Wragge slid with Orakpo instead of passing him off to Saffold. Orakpo picked Saffold, and that opened a lane for Bowen to loop through and get to Bradford.

Orakpo wasn’t perfect on the afternoon. Rams RBStephen Jackson beat him for a touchdown catch. When Jackson sprinted out of the backfield on a pass route down the left side, Orakpo tried to turn and run with him in coverage. However, his feet tangled with TE Lance Kendricks’, and Orakpo stumbled. That allowed Jackson to separate enough to catch the pass.

Overall, though, Orakpo helped take the game over in the second half when the offense couldn’t put the victory away. That’s what marquee players do.

RDE STEPHEN BOWEN:Bowen had another strong game against the run, and he also contributed 1.5 sacks. His most impressive play, in my opinion, was the fourth-quarter second-and-3 on which he beat a double-team and limited RBStephen Jackson to 1 yard. First, he shed LG Tony Wragge by pulling Wragge through the block and ripping under him. Then LT Rodger Saffold cut off his path en route to the linebacker, but Bowen swam through that and got to Jackson. Bowen’s strength and quickness made that play.

He fought through LG Tony Wragge to limit RBStephen Jackson to 3 yards on third-and-4 in the first half. It’s clear that Bowen is getting comfortable with the reads he has to make in this scheme. He’s playing faster and stronger as a result.

In the passing game, Bowen made a second-half adjustment against Wragge that helped him generate pressure. “He just kept trying to jump me,” Bowen explained later. “I realized it kind of late, which I was kind of upset about. I tried to give him a little more space, and it forced him to make a decision.”

ILB ROCKY MCINTOSH:McIntosh had five tackles and now leads the Redskins with 27, according to the league. Improved talent on the line in front of him is keeping him cleaner and helping him make plays, but McIntosh also seems to be better with his run fits and angles. He stopped RBStephen Jackson for a 1-yard gain in the first half by filling his gap after OLB Ryan Kerrigan and DE Adam Carriker occupied three Rams blockers.

McIntosh stopped St. Louis’ screen for a 5-yard loss on third-and-12 on the game’s first series by diagnosing the play quickly and sprinting to the ball behind the blockers out in front. He forced an incompletion in the second half on a delayed blitz. He read Jackson was staying in to protect, and hit QB Sam Bradford as Bradford threw.

Coverage is still problematic at times for McIntosh. TE Lance Kendricks separated from him by faking in and then breaking out for an 8-yard catch on third-and-5 in the second quarter.

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