Rams owner E. Stanley Kroenke released a statement this morning thanking both for their dedication, adding that no one is to blame for the team’s, quote, “disappointing” season.

More from stlouisrams.com.

Spagnuolo coached the team for the past three seasons after being named coach on Jan. 17, 2009. He was 10-38 in his time with the team. 

Devaney was named general manager on Christmas Eve of 2008 after joining the team in February of that year as Executive Vice President of Player Personnel. 

Rams owner E. Stanley Kroenke issued the following statement this morning. 

“I would like to personally thank Steve and Billy for their dedication to the St. Louis Rams organization over the past several seasons. This was a difficult decision for many reasons. We have tremendous respect for Steve and Billy as people and football professionals. 

“No one individual is to blame for this disappointing season and we all must hold ourselves accountable. However, we believe it’s in the best interest of the St. Louis Rams to make these changes as we continue our quest to build a team that consistently competes for playoffs and championships. We wish Steve, Billy and their families the very best in the future and thank them again for their commitment to our organization and the city of St. Louis.”

The search for a new head coach and general manager is already underway.  

(Copyright 2012 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)

The outcome of Sunday’s regular-season finale at St. Louis will go a long way in boosting the 49ers’ chances for playoff success. 

A win would guarantee a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the subsequent game. With the blazing hot Saints as a possible opponent, any sort of advantage will be welcomed with open arms.  

A loss could drop them to the No. 3 seed for a likely rematch with the Detroit Lions and Coach Schwartz. As entertaining as another Harbaugh-Schwartz handshake sounds, the 49ers are looking to beat the host Rams. 

When the two teams met in early December, it was smooth sailing for the 49ers as they shutout the Rams 26-0 in Candlestick Park. This time around may prove to be a little more challenging for the 49ers who are battling through several injuries at key positions. Then again, the Rams are also dinged-up and, with a 2-13 record, look primed for a shot at the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.    

Injuries will be a decisive factor in Sunday’s result between the NFC West rivals.  

49ers Injury Report

Out:

TE Delanie Walker (jaw)

Questionable:

CB Chris Culliver

WR Ted Ginn (ankle)

FB Bruce Miller (knee)

CB Carlos Rogers (knee)

WR Kyle Williams (concussion)

LB Patrick Willis (hamstring)

Outlook

The 49ers are floss-thin at the wide receiver position with the absence of Ginn, Williams, and Edwards who was released earlier this week. As a result, Brett Swain will slide into the starting spot opposite Michael Crabtree and Joe Hastings will be promoted from the practice squad.

Swain, added to the team after the Josh Morgan injury, has seen the field mostly on special teams and has only one reception for nine yards on the season. Hastings, an un-drafted rookie out of Division II Washburn University, will be making his NFL debut.

Despite the inexperience, the young receivers will need to step up as the Rams’ defense will shift their focus towards playmakers Vernon Davis and Crabtree. 

Look for star linebacker Willis to sit another game in hopes of being full strength come playoff time. He will be missed, but Larry Grant has stepped up and made plays for a top-ranked defense. The others on the list have been limited in practice throughout the week but should be ready to contribute on Sunday. 

Rams Injury Report

Doubtful:

QB Sam Bradford (ankle)

QB AJ Feeley (right thumb)

Questionable:

DE Chris Long (ankle)

Probable:

CB Josh Gordy (abdomen)

RB Jerious Norwood (illness)

LB Brady Poppinga (illness)

Outlook

Quarterback Sam Bradford will miss his sixth start in what has been a disastrous season for the former No. 1 pick. A Rams win would save Bradford’s job, but a loss could lead to the selection of QB Andrew Luck in the upcoming draft. 

With backup AJ Feeley also sidelined, Kellen Clemens should get his second consecutive start. For the Rams to have any chance at a victory, Clemens must improve on last week’s performance that saw him complete 9 of 24 passes for a measly 91 yards and zero touchdowns. 

The Rams will also need defensive end Chris Long to play and continue wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks—13 total sacks on the season and counting. 

Prediction

Injuries aside, the 49ers are the superior team and will prove that this week. It’s never easy to win on the road in the NFL, but this is as close as it gets. Look for the 49ers to jump out to an early lead behind a balanced attack through the air with Alex Smith and on the ground with Frank Gore. The Rams will then have to rely on the arm of Clemens, a recipe for disaster as the 49ers defense is constantly on the prowl for turnovers. 

The 49ers’ New Year’s Eve celebration will continue Sunday as they emerge victorious and the Rams will get a head start in making their New Year’s resolutions.

Prediction Within a Prediction

Needing only one sack to tie the NFL rookie record for sacks in a season, Aldon Smith will go the extra mile in gathering two sacks to break the record previously held by Jevon Kearse. 

Final score: San Francisco 27, St. Louis 7

Read More: Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams are 2-13 and going nowhere fast, but then again, nobody thought they could drop any further with the Indianapolis Colts insulating them from the bottom of the barrel. Well, the Colts have ripped off two wins in a row and the Rams have now dropped six in a row, so the time has finally come where the Rams have punctuated their nightmare season with the most dubious distinction in the world of NFL Power Rankings. ESPN has released their rankings for Week 17, and the Rams have finally moved down the last spot to No. 32 overall:

32. St. Louis Rams (2-13, LW: 31) – The Rams rushed for 164 yards, committed no turnovers and still got shut out by the Steelers, 27-0. (Sando).

The only ray of hope for Rams fans is that the organization seems intent on moving forward from this by changing the guard, and GM A.J. Smith and former head coach Jon Gruden have been mentioned as possibilities for the team.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Starting Left Tackle: Orlando Pace, “The Big O”

Pace will be our left tackle,and would guard the blind side of Kurt Warner.

He was one of the greatest left tackles of all time and will be a Hall of Fame candidate when his time arrives.

Pace earned seven trips to Hawaii via pro bowl berths and was a three-time all-pro selection.

The Big O will hold down and anchor the left tackle spot for our Ultimate 53.

Starting Left Guard: Harvey Dahl

We are sliding the mean and nasty Harvey Dahl over to left guard to ensure that Pace stays plugged in and fired up at all times.

Dahl is particularly stout in the run game and is known around the NFL as one of the league’s dirtiest players.

With all the talent and finesse our team possesses at the skill position, the tough and mean Dahl helps to balance the scales an ensure that we are never labeled a finesse team, as the Greatest Show on Turf often was.

Starting Center: Andy McCollum

One of the “donut brothers,” McCollum will start under center for St. Louis.

A solid and consistent performer, he would be a steadying force on the line and amongst the offense. 

Starting Right Guard: Adam Timmerman

TImmerman, McCollum’s fellow donut brother, played right guard throughout his tenure with the St. Louis Rams. 

The 2001 pro bowler will retain his comfortable spot at this position.

Timmerman was a terrific right guard for the Rams after coming to St. Louis as a free agent acquisition out of Green Bay in 1999.

Starting Right Tackle: Jackie Slater

It was impossible to leave legendary Jackie Slater out of the lineup.

One of the league’s all time tackles, the legendary Ram finished his career in 1995 with St. Louis.

The seven time pro bowler and 2001 Hall of Fame inductee anchors the right side of the line and gives our Ultimate 53 Hall of Fame bookends at tackle.

Backup Left Tackle: Rodger Saffold

Saffold had a terrific rookie campaign in 2010. 

In 2011, he battled injuries most of the year before falling to the injured reserve list.

Saffold would likely never see the field considering the durability of Pace. If he did, he showed enough in 2010 to have confidence that he could adequately fill the bill for a game or two.

Backup Guard: Richie Incognito

Incognito has played well in Miami. 

Considering the veteran presence of this team and that Richie seems to be maturing now, he will provide valuable versatility, depth, and quality off the bench.  Incognito can also provide depth at center, which was another consideration in his landing a roster spot.

Backup Center: Jason Brown

Brown’s play has been inconsistent in St. Louis, but would be exceptional as a backup and for depth.

In addition, recent high dollar Rams offensive line free agents like Brown (and Jacob Bell) have played worse than expected since arriving in St. Louis after playing well at previous stops.

We feel that Brown would play better football under the tutelage the Ultimate 53 offensive line coach, who will be introduced later.

Backup Right Tackle: Ryan Tucker

Tucker would be exceptional as a backup on this team.

Tucker played solid football at right tackle for St. Louis starting throughout two of the Rams best years, 2000 and 2001, before heading to Cleveland in free agency.