Rams are set for Steussie's return

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Tuesday, Nov. 20 2007

When the Rams agreed to an injury settlement Sept. 5 with Todd Steussie, little
did they realize the sense of urgency there would be for his return.

But given the state of their injury-tattered offensive line, Steussie will be
greeted like a conquering hero when he returns to Rams Park this week.

Not only is Steussie expected to re-sign with the team today, he's expected to
start at right guard or right tackle Sunday against Seattle. Steussie hasn't
played since suffering a fractured left foot in the exhibition finale, Aug. 30
against Kansas City.

Is it realistic to think that Steussie can return to the lineup after being
sidelined for nearly three months?

"Oh, I think it'll definitely be realistic," Rams offensive coordinator Greg
Olson said. "When you look at it, we've brought guys in off the street this
season that have been active and have become starters in less than two weeks.
So that's not unrealistic at all. We're real excited to get him back."

Especially after a Sunday in which the Rams gave up six sacks against San
Francisco. This week's opponent, Seattle, figures to be no pass protection
picnic, either.

When the Rams and Seahawks met Oct. 21 in Seattle, quarterback Marc Bulger was
sacked seven times, matching his career high.

Unofficially, Bulger was hit on five other occasions. Seattle defensive end
Darryl Tapp had a career day with four sacks.

Although he didn't have a sack, defensive tackle Rocky Bernard gave the Rams
fits inside.

The troubles against the Seahawks weren't limited to pass protection, either,
because the Rams rushed for season-low 53 yards that day.

With all that in mind, the Rams aren't hoping to get Steussie back in the
lineup — they're counting on it.

"He's got a lot of experience," Olson said. "And he's a very smart, very
intelligent player. He knows all the line calls. He's done an excellent job in
the two years he's been here with us."

For a while, it looked like year No. 2 was over when Steussie suffered the foot
injury in the second quarter of the Governor's Cup game with the Chiefs.
Steussie needed surgery, and the original diagnosis was that he would be out
six to eight weeks.

Once a player is designated for the injured reserve list, his team has five
days to reach an injury settlement — otherwise he's out for the season and the
club must pay him his full salary. By reaching the settlement, however, the
Rams were eligible to bring Steussie back this week.

Under league rules, the formula for a player returning under an injury
settlement is the number of weeks of the settlement, plus six weeks.

In Steussie's case, the injury settlement was for five weeks. That settlement,
plus six weeks, brings us to this week.

"Knowing Todd, he'll be available for this game," Rams coach Scott Linehan
said. "I know he's in very good condition. ... We'd like to get him ready as
soon as possible. He's a veteran that works very hard at keeping in shape."

Once the injury settlement was reached, Steussie no longer was under contract
with the Rams. So he couldn't do his rehab work or work out at Rams Park. But
Steussie, 36, stayed in St. Louis. In fact, his sons attend the same school as
Linehan's sons.

"My wife has seen him at school," Linehan said. "My wife tells me, 'Hey,
Steussie looks like he's in shape. You might want to re-sign him.'"

And here he is. Ready for action — kind of.

"Based on how we played offensively and how we played up front (against San
Francisco), we've got to consider some type of adjustment for this next game,"
Linehan said.

[txramsfan]

Glad Steussie is back, sort of, but what's up with Linehan's little son dogging him about his scheme's not working and his wife telling him who he should sign on the O line? Did his maid have anything to do with the way the Rams have "cleaned up" their turnover act?

[Aussie Dave]

yeah i think his pets are scouting free agents for him.

[BigGameMN]

Hopefully him just being in the game will give Marc more confidence in the pocket.

[RealRam]

Hopefully him just being in the game will give Marc more confidence in the pocket.

Yes siree! That's what it's all about. And yes, hopefully Steussie will bring some of that on Sunday and the rest of the OL feed off from the incentive. The squawks will want to pounce on our mended OL again so we need to be ready.

Protection, p-l-e-a-s-e! :bash: