Rams count on forcing turnovers to win

[RAMMAN68]

San Diego
UNION-TRIBUNE
October 25, 2006

It's been all about the turnovers for the Rams this season. They've committed just five while recording 16 takeaways, giving them a plus-11 margin that is by far the best in the league. The Rams' only losses came in the two games in which they did not win the turnover battle.

St. Louis also has benefited from a fairly easy schedule. It did beat Denver in its opener, but its other victories came against Arizona, Detroit and Green Bay. And the Rams lost to San Francisco, a team the Chargers walloped. Sunday's game is the first in a four-game stretch for the Rams that will be followed by a home game against Kansas City and road games at Seattle and Carolina.
The Rams still like to throw the ball, but running back Stephen Jackson ranks fourth in the league in yards from scrimmage. The defense has given up a lot of yards but also made a lot of big plays.



Three players to watch
Marc Bulger – He wasn't facing many of the same players, but the Rams quarterback figures to light up at the sight of the Chargers. In his only game against San Diego, in 2002, Bulger completed 36-of-48 passes for 453 yards and four TDs. After passing for 1,217 yards and nine TDs in his most recent four games, Bulger ranks third with a 99.8 passer rating.

Torry Holt – Five-time Pro Bowl player has scored at least one TD in every game but one this season and leads all receivers with seven. He had three in his most recent game, in which he caught eight balls for 154 yards. In two games vs. San Diego he has 10 catches for 152 yards and a TD.

Will Witherspoon – An outside linebacker in Carolina the past four seasons, Witherspoon is playing the middle for the Rams, and playing it well. He already has 60 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, and he has shown the ability to make plays from sideline to sideline.


Familiar faces
Two of the Rams' starting linebackers are from North County high schools – Pisa Tinoisamoa (Vista) and Brandon Chillar (Carlsbad). A third defensive starter, nose tackle La'Roi Glover, went to Point Loma High and San Diego State. Starting cornerback Fakhir Brown (1999-2000) and backup nose tackle Jason Fisk (2002-04) played for the Chargers, and defensive line coach Brian Baker coached for them (1996). Running backs coach Wayne Moses served in that role at SDSU (1986-88).


Injury report
Coming off their bye week, the Rams appear healthy. Cornerback Fakhir Brown (ankle) and fullback Paul Smith (concussion, eye) have missed the past two games but are expected to play, as is Smith's backup, Madison Hedgecock, who broke his right thumb in the Rams' most recent game.


Last meeting
Marc Bulger threw two TD passes to Isaac Bruce in the final 3:06 to give St. Louis a 28-24 win over the visiting Chargers on Nov. 10, 2002. LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 120 yards and a score, and San Diego returned two fumbles for TDs. But Tim Dwight dropped a potential TD pass early in the fourth quarter.


Series history
The Rams have won the past two meetings, scoring a combined 85 points in 2000 and 2002, to take a 5-3 lead in the series. The teams have played only twice in San Diego, with the Rams winning in 1975 and the Chargers winning in 1994.Did you know?

Five quarterbacks coached by Scott Linehan at the college level were drafted by NFL teams – Louisville's Chris Redman and Dave Ragone, Washington's Brock Huard and Marques Tuiasosopo, and Idaho's Doug Nussmeier, who now serves as the Rams' quarterbacks coach.Did you hear?

“After the bye, it's really not a second season, but it's certainly a refocus time. It's a key stretch, a tough stretch. We have a tough road game this week, which is obviously our focus now. It's a tough place to play against a team that has been playing as good as anybody, and is maybe one of the top two or three teams in the league.”

– Rams coach Scott Linehan


Key stat
The Rams rank 25th in the league in yards per rushing attempt on offense (3.6) and defense (4.5). They rank 21st or worse in almost every major statistical category on defense except takeaways.

[RAMMAN68]

Key stat
The Rams rank 25th in the league in yards per rushing attempt on offense (3.6) and defense (4.5). They rank 21st or worse in almost every major statistical category on defense except takeaways.

The defense needs to focus on stopping the run; they need to force Rivers to beat them.

[ramsplaya16]

I agree, LT could be the determining factor in this game

[RamFan_Til_I_Die]

I agree, LT could be the determining factor in this game

Could be? He is by far the most dominant player in the NFL when he needs/wants to be. Don't be fooled by his low rush totals this year. He is catching lots of passes out of the backfield for yardage, as well as thrown a TD pass or two. If allowed he WILL dominate. We must be prepared.

[Dr. Defense]

Agreed RamFan. I think that if we can contain him then it will force Rivers to beat us. I just don't think that he can do that. The way that our defense has played we could force many turnovers. Turnovers will either win or lose this game for us.

[laram0]

Long time consuming scoring drives to keep LT off the field. Then also play a safe run defense without allowing the big plays, waiting for the turnover/s. Make the Chargers work down the field, the more snaps the more chance of an error from their young QB.

[MadMadigan]

Agreed RamFan. I think that if we can contain him then it will force Rivers to beat us. I just don't think that he can do that. The way that our defense has played we could force many turnovers. Turnovers will either win or lose this game for us.

I like it

[RAM-BO]

I think Brown back could be huge, he definitely creates turnovers and he will produce this sunday with at least 1 INT.