Rams Notebook: Injuries On O-Line Starting To Pile Up

[r8rh8rmike]

RAMS NOTEBOOK: Injuries on O-line starting to pile up
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/21/2009

LANDOVER, MD. — Pending the results of a couple of MRIs today, the Rams may have to rely on their offensive line depth to get through Game 3 against Green Bay.

No. 2 overall draft pick Jason Smith left the Washington game late in the second quarter with a knee injury.

"They're calling it a meniscus (cartilage) right now," coach Steve Spagnuolo said after Sunday's 9-7 loss to the Redskins. "I'm not sure the extent of it."

If it's a torn cartilage and Smith needs surgery, he could be sidelined for about a month. Adam Goldberg took over for Smith at right tackle against Washington.

Center Jason Brown left the game late in the first quarter with a knee injury. Brown was replaced by Mark Setterstrom but missed only five plays, returning midway through the second quarter. Even so, Brown appeared to be walking gingerly after the game. Spagnuolo indicated that Brown could have a medial collateral ligament injury. Like Smith, Brown is scheduled for an MRI today.

Left tackle Alex Barron ended the game with a thigh injury, although he was able to finish out the game. Defensive end Leonard Little suffered a calf injury, the extent of which was unknown Sunday.

BULGER'S ACHING BACK

Quarterback Marc Bulger finished the game with a sore back and needed treatment from the team's medical staff afterward because of blows he received on a 3-yard scramble late in the third quarter.

Bulger slid at the end of the run, meaning he was supposed to be off-limits to defenders. Washington defensive end Andre Carter appeared to hit Bulger late, and then Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth rolled on top of Bulger. Much to the chagrin of Bulger, there was no penalty flag for a late hit.

Bulger was shaken up enough that the Rams burned their second timeout of the half to let him regroup. During the timeout, Bulger gave referee Jerome Boger an earful about the non-call.

"I think my thoughts were obvious," Bulger said. "But I don't want to go back and re-hash it."

Translation: He didn't want to be fined for criticizing the officiating.

PASSING RECORD

With his second completion Sunday, Bulger passed Jim Everett as the Rams' career leader in completions. Bulger ended the game with 1,861 completions; Everett had 1,847 from 1986-93 for the LA Rams.

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

You can go all the way back to the days of the leather helmets and the Cleveland Rams, and you won't find a worse scoring start for this franchise. The Rams combined for just seven points in losses to Seattle and Washington — and that's the lowest two-game total to start a season in the 72-year history of Rams football.

RAM-BLINGS

For the second straight Sunday, defensive end Victor Adeyanju was among the pregame inactives for St. Louis. Also sitting were safeties Craig Dahl (hamstring) and Anthony Smith, offensive guards Roger Allen III and John Greco (wrist), wide receiver Ruvell Martin and defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey. ... Representing Rams ownership at the game once again was Lucia Rodriguez, accompanied by her husband, Lupe. ... Among the Redskins' inactives was nickel back Fred Smoot (ribs).

[eldfan]

RAMS NOTEBOOK: Injuries on O-line starting to pile up
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/21/2009

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

You can go all the way back to the days of the leather helmets and the Cleveland Rams, and you won't find a worse scoring start for this franchise. The Rams combined for just seven points in losses to Seattle and Washington — and that's the lowest two-game total to start a season in the 72-year history of Rams football.

That’s scary I knew we were in a re-building mode but I thought our O would do better than this. We are not going to win many ball games 3 to 2. Maybe some home cooking is what we need. I hope being at home can spark the O.

[HUbison]

pregame inactives for St. Louis. ... and defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey

That's odd. I could have sworn I heard his name called several times. Mistaken identity by the broadcast booth?

[RebelYell]

That's odd. I could have sworn I heard his name called several times. Mistaken identity by the broadcast booth?

I'd swear I saw him on the field early in the game.

[Ahmedrams81]

Looks like last year for the o-line all over again

[tomahawk247]

Ramsey did play, Scott was the DT that was inactive

Ramsey finished the game with two tackles and a QB pressure

[RockinRam]

This is not good... if we don't have Jason Brown and Jason Smith and Alex Barron playing against Green Bay, we're going to be 0-3.

[RealRam]

AAAAAAARGH! And to think that just last week we were doing okay as far as injuries go.

Well, that's how much a "1st" game benefits last. Now I see this article and learn that we're starting to limp our way through the 1st month of the season.

Here's hoping that those MRIs reveal 'negative' results on the players in question. It would be a much needed positive.