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By Bill Coats
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Marc Bulger is coming off his two worst seasons in his six years as the St. Louis Rams’ starting quarterback. There are many reasons why, not all of his doing, but there’s no disputing that. Bulger himself acknowledges that he hasn’t come near to displaying the form that earned him Pro Bowl spots after the 2003 and ‘07 seasons.
And he’s off to rocky start this year. He’s completing only 50 percent of his passes, has thrown for just one touchdown, and his passer rating is a mediocre 69.5. Plus, his team is 0-2 and his offense has produced a league-low seven points.
But know this: Those who question Bulger’s toughness couldn’t be more off the Marc (pun and misspelling intended).
As he dressed in the locker room Sunday at FedEx Field, a large, ugly welt across his back was noticeable. So were knots on both arms. The bruise on Bulger’s back was the result of a vicious shot he took after he scrambled for a 3-yard gain late in the first half. Bulger slid, which means he’d given himself up and shouldn’t be hit.
But Redskins end Andre Carter drilled him anyway, and then 350-pound tackle Albert Haynesworth piled on. No flag was thrown, but either or both players should’ve been called for a personal foul. Had the victim been Brett Favre, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, you can bet the yellow hankies would’ve been flying from all directions.
Bulger was in considerable pain, and the Rams called a timeout to allow him to pull himself together. And then he went right back to the huddle and pushed on.
His play can be criticized, but not his grit. Bulger takes a beating, never complains about it, never points a finger at his teammates.
That’s toughness, folks.
Notes & quotes:
*Other than the knee injuries to C Jason Brown and RT Jason Brown, the Rams mainly collected bumps and bruises in the 9-7 loss to the Redskins.
*It’s possible that both S Craig Dahl (hamstring) and G John Greco (wrist) both could be back this week.
*The Rams have been outscored 37-7. After two games last year, they were on the short end of a 79-16 count. Hard to say which is worse.
*Unless the Dolphins get shut out tonight vs. the Colts, the Rams will be the lowest-scoring team in the NFL heading into Week 3.
*Asked about WR Donnie Avery’s fumble problems in the first two games, coach Steve Spagnuolo said: “We’ll keep working with him. We’re always talking about (holding the ball) high and tight. Hopefully the adage that (fumbles) come and go in bunches is true and he’s gotten them all out of his system.”
*Spagnuolo works hard to keep his players in a positive mode despite their troubles. Asked who keeps him upbeat, Spagnuolo said, “My wife, Maria. And that’s the truth. I’m blessed that I’ve got her.”
All for now . . .
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Marc Bulger is coming off his two worst seasons in his six years as the St. Louis Rams’ starting quarterback. There are many reasons why, not all of his doing, but there’s no disputing that. Bulger himself acknowledges that he hasn’t come near to displaying the form that earned him Pro Bowl spots after the 2003 and ‘07 seasons.
And he’s off to rocky start this year. He’s completing only 50 percent of his passes, has thrown for just one touchdown, and his passer rating is a mediocre 69.5. Plus, his team is 0-2 and his offense has produced a league-low seven points.
But know this: Those who question Bulger’s toughness couldn’t be more off the Marc (pun and misspelling intended).
As he dressed in the locker room Sunday at FedEx Field, a large, ugly welt across his back was noticeable. So were knots on both arms. The bruise on Bulger’s back was the result of a vicious shot he took after he scrambled for a 3-yard gain late in the first half. Bulger slid, which means he’d given himself up and shouldn’t be hit.
But Redskins end Andre Carter drilled him anyway, and then 350-pound tackle Albert Haynesworth piled on. No flag was thrown, but either or both players should’ve been called for a personal foul. Had the victim been Brett Favre, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, you can bet the yellow hankies would’ve been flying from all directions.
Bulger was in considerable pain, and the Rams called a timeout to allow him to pull himself together. And then he went right back to the huddle and pushed on.
His play can be criticized, but not his grit. Bulger takes a beating, never complains about it, never points a finger at his teammates.
That’s toughness, folks.
Notes & quotes:
*Other than the knee injuries to C Jason Brown and RT Jason Brown, the Rams mainly collected bumps and bruises in the 9-7 loss to the Redskins.
*It’s possible that both S Craig Dahl (hamstring) and G John Greco (wrist) both could be back this week.
*The Rams have been outscored 37-7. After two games last year, they were on the short end of a 79-16 count. Hard to say which is worse.
*Unless the Dolphins get shut out tonight vs. the Colts, the Rams will be the lowest-scoring team in the NFL heading into Week 3.
*Asked about WR Donnie Avery’s fumble problems in the first two games, coach Steve Spagnuolo said: “We’ll keep working with him. We’re always talking about (holding the ball) high and tight. Hopefully the adage that (fumbles) come and go in bunches is true and he’s gotten them all out of his system.”
*Spagnuolo works hard to keep his players in a positive mode despite their troubles. Asked who keeps him upbeat, Spagnuolo said, “My wife, Maria. And that’s the truth. I’m blessed that I’ve got her.”
All for now . . .
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