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Rams Notebook: Incognito plagued with penalties
BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/14/2009
SEATTLE — In terms of the Rams' woeful recent past, coach Steve Spagnuolo has wiped the slate clean. For Richie Incognito, it's a good thing that's the case.
That's because Incognito was flagged for 35 yards worth of penalties Sunday in Seattle, two of which were personal fouls for unnecessary roughness that killed Rams drives. After the second personal foul, Incognito was replaced by Adam Goldberg with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter.
But Goldberg was in for only the rest of that possession — two plays — and a three-and-out series on the next, before Incognito returned and finished out the game.
"I told (Incognito), I still have confidence in him," Spagnuolo said. "I don't lose confidence in a guy in one game. I think Richie's one of our passionate guys, I really do. He plays his butt off. It's just sometimes, you've got to temper that a little bit, that's all."
Incognito said he appreciated the support from the head coach.
"It does mean a lot to me," Incognito said. "I don't want to disappoint him. I've got the team riding on my shoulders on this one — they need me to stop committing fouls. It's something I've worked very hard at. And you come out here and it's first-game jitters. And you let one pop off."
(Actually two, in terms of personal foul penalties.)
"I'm going to keep working hard at trying to step my mental game up," Incognito said. "My physical game is there. I had a hell of a game. I played very well. But it's very disappointing to have it overshadowed by stupid mistakes."
Incognito has a history of personal fouls, and more than one opposing player over the years has referred to him as a dirty player. Make no mistake, NFL officiating crews are aware of his reputation as well.
"I know going out there on Sundays I'm being watched," Incognito said. "I know I'm a marked man. My reputation precedes me."
Tyree to visit — The Rams had only four wide receivers available for Sunday's season opener, but that could change in a hurry. League sources told the Post-Dispatch that former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree is scheduled to visit the Rams today and take a physical.
Baltimore and Jacksonville also are showing interest in Tyree, who was one of the Super Bowl heroes for New York two seasons ago with his "Helmet Catch" on the game-winning touchdown drive. Tyree also has a reputation as an excellent special teams player.
Hall starts — James Hall started at right defensive end instead of Chris Long, but Hall, Long and Leonard Little basically rotated at the two end positions.
Adeyanju sits — In a surprising move, defensive end Victor Adeyanju was among the Rams' pregame inactives. Adeyanju, who has started 25 games over three seasons with St. Louis, shared the team lead in sacks during the preseason with two.
Also sitting were the two players claimed on waivers a week ago: DT LaJuan Ramsey and S Anthony Smith. Other inactives included S Craig Dahl (hamstring injury), OG John Greco (wrist), OG Roger Allen III, and OT Eric Young.
Linebacker Larry Grant (knee) played despite being unofficially ruled out by Spagnuolo last Monday.
For openers — The Rams are now 8-7 in season openers since the move to St. Louis. Over that span, the team has never had a .500 or better record after losing its opener.
BY JIM THOMAS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/14/2009
SEATTLE — In terms of the Rams' woeful recent past, coach Steve Spagnuolo has wiped the slate clean. For Richie Incognito, it's a good thing that's the case.
That's because Incognito was flagged for 35 yards worth of penalties Sunday in Seattle, two of which were personal fouls for unnecessary roughness that killed Rams drives. After the second personal foul, Incognito was replaced by Adam Goldberg with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter.
But Goldberg was in for only the rest of that possession — two plays — and a three-and-out series on the next, before Incognito returned and finished out the game.
"I told (Incognito), I still have confidence in him," Spagnuolo said. "I don't lose confidence in a guy in one game. I think Richie's one of our passionate guys, I really do. He plays his butt off. It's just sometimes, you've got to temper that a little bit, that's all."
Incognito said he appreciated the support from the head coach.
"It does mean a lot to me," Incognito said. "I don't want to disappoint him. I've got the team riding on my shoulders on this one — they need me to stop committing fouls. It's something I've worked very hard at. And you come out here and it's first-game jitters. And you let one pop off."
(Actually two, in terms of personal foul penalties.)
"I'm going to keep working hard at trying to step my mental game up," Incognito said. "My physical game is there. I had a hell of a game. I played very well. But it's very disappointing to have it overshadowed by stupid mistakes."
Incognito has a history of personal fouls, and more than one opposing player over the years has referred to him as a dirty player. Make no mistake, NFL officiating crews are aware of his reputation as well.
"I know going out there on Sundays I'm being watched," Incognito said. "I know I'm a marked man. My reputation precedes me."
Tyree to visit — The Rams had only four wide receivers available for Sunday's season opener, but that could change in a hurry. League sources told the Post-Dispatch that former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree is scheduled to visit the Rams today and take a physical.
Baltimore and Jacksonville also are showing interest in Tyree, who was one of the Super Bowl heroes for New York two seasons ago with his "Helmet Catch" on the game-winning touchdown drive. Tyree also has a reputation as an excellent special teams player.
Hall starts — James Hall started at right defensive end instead of Chris Long, but Hall, Long and Leonard Little basically rotated at the two end positions.
Adeyanju sits — In a surprising move, defensive end Victor Adeyanju was among the Rams' pregame inactives. Adeyanju, who has started 25 games over three seasons with St. Louis, shared the team lead in sacks during the preseason with two.
Also sitting were the two players claimed on waivers a week ago: DT LaJuan Ramsey and S Anthony Smith. Other inactives included S Craig Dahl (hamstring injury), OG John Greco (wrist), OG Roger Allen III, and OT Eric Young.
Linebacker Larry Grant (knee) played despite being unofficially ruled out by Spagnuolo last Monday.
For openers — The Rams are now 8-7 in season openers since the move to St. Louis. Over that span, the team has never had a .500 or better record after losing its opener.
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