Bits and Bytes On Niners Loss

[Barry Waller]

This game featured a first for the St. louis Rams and also some other notable stats.



For the first time since coming to St. Louis, the Rams lost a game when they had a 100 yard rusher, after a 39 victory streak.



The Niners were flagged for just two penalties in the game, only one minor call other than the obvious roughing the punter call. It was the fewest flags against a Rams opponent since game 13 of the 2002 season, when the Chiefs were called for just two penalties in a rout of St. Louis.



That lack of calls may have not been the reason the Rams lost, but it is somewhat surprising to see a team register zero sacks against a patchwork line missing two regulars and not see them flagged even once for a hold.



The most obvious non-call came on the second half kickoff, when a Rams wedge buster was clearly pushed and nearly tackled from behind, right where the return happened.
The Rams had a huge advantage in time of possession, over 34 minutes to less than 26, which once again shows how little that stat really means in terms of winning.



The Rams defense was good in the first half, allowing points only after a long pass play that was actually tipped, but still went right to the Niners receiver who had beaten rookie Tye Hill after a slip.



The footing seemed to be a problem for the Rams, who had several players slip and fall during the game, their first of the year on natural grass.



Two Rams defenders had bad games Sunday, as both CB Travis Fisher and safety Oshiomugho Atogwe were beaten for big plays.



Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who dislocated his elbow during the game, took blame for the 35 yard TD run that tied the score early in the second half, saying he overran the play at the line.



TE Joe Klopfenstein, who wasn't thrown to at all in the opener, got the call twice Sunday, and caught both passes, including one where he was jacked up by a defender after the catch.



Madison Hedgecock replaced Paul Smith at fullback Sunday. Smith has been dinged up recently, and it's still unsure if Hedgecock will keep the starting job permanently.
Cornerback Jerametrious Butler was inactive for the second straight game.



Will Witherspoon showed his big play ability again Sunday, as he forced the lone fumble by the Niners on a goal line stand in the first quarter.



Marc Bulger struggled again Sunday, as he was constantly under pressure from blitzing Niners defenders. The Rams always seem to struggle against the 3-4 defense, and this game was no exception.



Bulger missed on two long passes that had receivers open deep, which was the big difference between his play and that of the Niners' Alex Smith.



Orlando Pace traveled home with the team after a trip to the hospital to check his concussion. He is listed as questionable by the Rams for the game Sunday, as is Tinoisamoa.



Steven Jackson's second straight 100 yard effort was his first back to back 100 yard performance in the NFL.



It was the Rams first since game 12 and 13 of the 2003 season, when Marshall Faulk turned the trick. Faulk ran for four staight 100 yard games, tying his best Rams streak.

Jackson's back to back performance was the first time since the Rams came to St.Louis that the team had a 100 yard rusher the first two games of the season.



No Rams back has done it since at least back before Jerome Bettis was the Rams halfback, because "The Bus" never did it while a Ram.



The Rams once hs TWO backs both go over 100 yards the first two games of a season, back in 1976, when John Cappelleti and Lawrence McCutcheon did it.

[AvengerRam]

Thanks for the notes, Barry.

Interesting stat on the penalties, particularly the lack of holding calls. The Rams' lack of pass rush, though, seemed to be, in part, due to relatively conservative blitz calls by Haslett. Perhaps he assumed the Rams front 4 alone would generate enough pass rush.

Atogwe shows promise in some aspects, but he needs to learn better recognition on the cover 2 assignments. We saw him blow a similar coverage on Reggie Wayne in preseason. That kind of thing just can't happen.

[sprtsmac]

The lack of holding calls really stands out. There were a few times that it appeared that our linemen were getting held by their linemen. Of course I am bias so I could be wrong.

[Nick]

That lack of calls may have not been the reason the Rams lost, but it is somewhat surprising to see a team register zero sacks against a patchwork line missing two regulars and not see them flagged even once for a hold.

Quite astonishing when you think about it. Kind of reminds me of that tidbit from either a year or two ago where no tackle opposing Leonard Little the entire season was ever flagged for holding. For something that most people widely accept happens on every play, it's unimaginable that things like this occur.

[RAMMAN68]

Bulger missed on two long passes that had receivers open deep, which was the big difference between his play and that of the Niners' Alex Smith.

And both he and Holt were not on the same page when at least two passes were thrown his way but fell sort.
I know that the offense needs some time to get the new scheme going, but with Bulger missing his open receivers deep down field on back to back games has me wondering if his shoulder is completely heeled.
In the past Bulger has shown uncanny accuracy on the deep ball.

[Vendark]

The Niners were flagged once for holding. The Rams declined the penalty.

[adarian_too]

I think another interesting Bit and Byte was the fact that Little started out at RE in an apparent attempt to exploit the injuries at LG/LT. It's not the type of game planning that MarmieDuke seemed to adjust to last year. I'm surprised it didn't work. Maybe Little wasn't comfortable generating leverage with his left arm, but it showed Haslett was paying attention ...

[Rambos]

Little had a nice game had pressure and some nice tackles.

[RealRam]

Why is Butler innactive...

[UtterBlitz]

Thanks for the bits and bytes Barry.

I try not to focus on the zebra's involvement in this game, since we did a fine job of losing it ourselves, but sometimes it is hard to ignore.

So much for the over 100 yard running stat...that was a nice one to have.

It's hard to believe that we have had roughing the punter penalties in both games.

[WhinerFan]

Marc Bulger struggled again Sunday, as he was constantly under pressure from blitzing Niners defenders. The Rams always seem to struggle against the 3-4 defense, and this game was no exception.

The 49er s played in a base 4-3 with Bryant Young and Marques Douglas as DE's, with Young moving inside to DT (three-technique) on passing downs and Melvin Oliver playing LDE.

The 3-4 was only used rarely.

[HUbison]

I wonder why Wroten never got in? He and Gus were the only active players to not get in.