Team Report: Strategy and Personnel
Inside Slant | Notes and Quotes | Strategy and Personnel
PLAYER/PERSONNEL NOTES
--TE Jeff Robinson, disappointed in having little playing time, was not at practice Thursday and has decided to retire. The move wasn't officially announced because Robinson hadn't filed the necessary paperwork with the league office.
--RB/KR David Allen practiced Wednesday, and took some reps as the punt returner. At one point in practice, while most of the team worked inside, Allen was outside fielding balls from P Bryan Barker.
--QB
Marc Bulger practiced Wednesday without incident after throwing for the first time in practice Monday since injuring his shoulder Oct. 17.
--WR
Torry Holt, though wearing brace on his knee, ran well in practice Wednesday and will surely play Sunday against Seattle. Holt is listed as probable on the injury report.
--WR Isaac Bruce looked his best running since injuring his toe Sept. 25 against Tennessee. Bruce is listed as questionable on the injury report, but he could play if he can get through the next two days of practice without incident.
GAME PLAN: The Rams will attempt to take the Seahawks crowd out of the game with an early lead. The offense has been more balanced by necessity the last two games with QB
Marc Bulger and WRs
Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce out. Now, the question is whether the return of Bulger and Holt and perhaps Bruce, will result in more passing, or whether offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild will try to establish the run with
Steven Jackson.
Defensively, the Rams had few answers in the first game for WR Joe Jurevicius, who had nine receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. The defense knows it must stop RB Shaun Alexander, but they can't ignore the passing game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Rams run defense vs. Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander - Alexander already has 949 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, two of which came against the Rams on Oct. 9. The Rams know Alexander will get yards, but the defense has to limit the big plays.
Rams OTs
Orlando Pace and
Alex Barron vs. Seahawks DEs Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher - Both Seattle ends are former Rams, and Fisher leads the Seahawks with seven sacks this season. He will be matched up against the rookie RT Barron, while Wistrom will be facing perennial All-Pro Pace.
INJURY IMPACT: The only players on the injury list Wednesday were WR
Torry Holt (probable) and WR Isaac Bruce (questionable). However, both practiced, and the Rams had no players miss any portion of team practice.
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