Post-Dispatch Staff
10/24/2004

Grading the Rams after their 31-14 loss to previously winless Miami:


Quarterback:

Why throw into triple coverage in the red zone when you're trailing by just 7 midway through the third quarter?

Grade: D


Running backs:

Marshall Faulk was on his game. Steven Jackson wasn't bad. Running game got junked when deficit reached 21-7.

Grade: B


Wide receivers:

Dolphins DBs made Torry Holt disappear. Dane Looker had a costly drop. Isaac Bruce and Shaun McDonald were effective.

Grade: C+


Offensive line:

Whether at guard or tackle, a tough day for Scott Tercero included two holding penalties, a false start and a sack.

Grade: C minus


Defensive line:

Leonard Little got little done against John St. Clair, but the unit combined for seven sacks and did a decent job against the run.

Grade: B


Linebackers:

Tommie Polley had a costly late-hit penalty, then missed a tackle two plays later on Travis Minor's TD run.

Grade: C minus


Secondary:

Gave up three very big, very costly passing plays to perhaps the NFL's worst deep passing team.

Grade: F


Special teams:

Whether it was on coverage or return units, this was a disaster area on Sunday.

Grade: F


Coaching:

There was too little focus, and too much sloppiness, against an inferior opponent.

Grade: F