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09.25.2009 9:26 am
Penalties have cost Jackson lots of yardage
By Jim Thomas
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Even with relatively limited touches (37) in a struggling offense, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson still ranks ninth in the NFC in yards from scrimmage (186). But he’d be near the top had the Rams’ mistake-prone offense been able to avoid penalties.
_ Against Seattle, a 21-yard run was reduced to an eight-yard gain because of a spot foul against wide receiver Donnie Avery for an illegal block.
_ Against Washington, a 67-yard run by Jackson was reduced to a 59-yarder, again because of an illegal downfield block by Avery.
_ Jackson also had an 11-yard pass reception wiped out against the Redskins by a holding penalty against left tackle Alex Barron.
But the biggest mistake, and one that went largely overlooked in the 9-7 loss to Washington, came in the third quarter _ early in the drive that resulted in the lost fumble by Avery on the Washington 5.
With the Rams’ line blocking left, Jackson took a pitch from Marc Bulger to the right on third-and-1 from the St. Louis 34. The Redkskins’ defense was totally fooled. Jackson was already at the 50, with a step or two on a Redskins linebacker. The only other Washington defender who might have had a chance to tackle Jackson was a defensive back _ 20 yards or so downfield, with a Rams receiver in front of him. So it very well could’ve been a 66-yard touchdown. . .except that tight end Daniels Fells was flagged for a false start. Fells flinched just before the snap.
Thirteen of the 16 penalties called against the Rams this season have been against the offense.
Penalties have cost Jackson lots of yardage
By Jim Thomas
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Even with relatively limited touches (37) in a struggling offense, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson still ranks ninth in the NFC in yards from scrimmage (186). But he’d be near the top had the Rams’ mistake-prone offense been able to avoid penalties.
_ Against Seattle, a 21-yard run was reduced to an eight-yard gain because of a spot foul against wide receiver Donnie Avery for an illegal block.
_ Against Washington, a 67-yard run by Jackson was reduced to a 59-yarder, again because of an illegal downfield block by Avery.
_ Jackson also had an 11-yard pass reception wiped out against the Redskins by a holding penalty against left tackle Alex Barron.
But the biggest mistake, and one that went largely overlooked in the 9-7 loss to Washington, came in the third quarter _ early in the drive that resulted in the lost fumble by Avery on the Washington 5.
With the Rams’ line blocking left, Jackson took a pitch from Marc Bulger to the right on third-and-1 from the St. Louis 34. The Redkskins’ defense was totally fooled. Jackson was already at the 50, with a step or two on a Redskins linebacker. The only other Washington defender who might have had a chance to tackle Jackson was a defensive back _ 20 yards or so downfield, with a Rams receiver in front of him. So it very well could’ve been a 66-yard touchdown. . .except that tight end Daniels Fells was flagged for a false start. Fells flinched just before the snap.
Thirteen of the 16 penalties called against the Rams this season have been against the offense.
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