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INSIDE SLANT
In 1983, the Rams set a franchise record with 24 lost fumbles. If the current Rams don't find a way to correct their chronic case of butter-fingers, that record will be shattered.
Through five games, the Rams lead the NFL with nine lost fumbles, a figure that projects to 29 for the season. Twenty-six NFL teams have four lost fumbles or less. The only teams with more than four are Oakland (eight), Jacksonville and Tennessee (six), and Buffalo and Carolina (five).
Not coincidentally, the six teams with five or more including the Rams have a combined record of 5-24.
The Rams are also tied for the league lead with Washington for total fumbles with 12, although the Redskins have lost just four. Only the Rams (12/9), Oakland (11/8), Tennessee (9/6), Jacksonville (8/6), Buffalo (8/5), Denver (7/4), Cleveland 6/4) and San Diego (5/3) have lost more than half of their fumbles.
At minus-7 (12 turnovers, five takeaways), the Rams have the second-worst turnover ratio in the league. Only Carolina is worse at minus-9. Since the Rams had three takeaways in the first quarter of the season opener, they have just two takeaways in the next 19 quarters.
Compounding the problem is the usual negative results of their own miscues. Of the 12 turnovers, six have resulted in touchdowns, with four scored on the turnover in the last two games. Adding in two field goals, 48 of the 146 points against have been the result of turnovers.
Meanwhile, four turnovers have come in the red zone from the opponent's 5-yard line or closer.
Numerous players have shared in the malaise. Wide receiver Donnie Avery has lost two fumbles, one at the 5-yard line when the Rams were set to take a fourth-quarter lead at Washington. Quarterback Kyle Boller has lost two fumbles, with quarterback Marc Bulger, running back Steven Jackson, tight end Daniel Fells, wide receiver Danny Amendola and cornerback Quincy Butler also losing fumbles. Butler's came on a punt, when the ball hit his foot, bounced into the end zone and was recovered by the ***** for a touchdown.
Said coach Steve Spagnuolo, "It's a ball security thing. We're preaching it all the time. It'll get solved. It's funny they're all a different way. If you think back, they're all different. But it's the same result.
"I don't know if we can emphasize it more. We will continue to emphasize it. (But) we can't turn the ball over; that's been our Achilles heel now."
Added defensive end Leonard Little, "The only thing separating us from winning games is mistakes. We all know what the problem is."
SERIES HISTORY: 3rd meeting. Rams lead the series, 2-0, playing in 1996 and 2005. Both previous games have been played in St. Louis and won by three points.
NOTES & QUOTES
QB Marc Bulger practiced with the first unit Wednesday and will start Sunday against Jacksonville.
Bulger said there are "no side effects" from his brief time on the field last week against Minnesota, and added, "The true test will come this week. But every day, it's getting better and today showed I can function in a game."
He completed all seven of his passes for 88 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, but Bulger admitted that means little.
"We were getting beat so bad, so I won't hang my hat on that. It won't have an impact on this week. Every week is different."
Bulger missed two starts because of a bruised rotator cuff.
LT Alex Barron turned in an impressive performance against Minnesota after being benched the week before for lining up off the line of scrimmage.
Six days after DE Jared Allen had 4.5 sacks against Green Bay, Allen had none in his matchup with Barron.
Said coach Steve Spagnuolo, "I thought he did a really good job. I thought Alex had one of his better games against we all know a legitimate player, a real good player. But again, as a group I thought the offensive line did a pretty good job."
Barron said he got no added motivation by facing Allen or from the benching.
"You've got to be motivated every week, no matter who you're going against," he said. "A different week is a different challenge."
The passing game took some deep shots against Minnesota and part of the reason is tied to the improved protection from the offensive line. After several years of ever-changing parts, virtually the same line has started all five games. The only switch from opening day has been Adam Goldberg for rookie Jason Smith at right tackle after Smith injured his knee against Washington.
But that was hardly a change because Goldberg played there with the first unit for most of the preseason.
More downfield throws might be added with the return this week of WR Tim Carter, who had been released in the cutdown to 53 players.
"I stayed in pretty good shape," Carter said. "Hopefully my retention of the offense is pretty good. They've got some new stuff in there. I'm looking at that and picking it up."
By The Numbers:
10/19/2008—The last date the Rams won a game, a 34-14 win over Dallas. Sunday's game is 10/18, and the Rams enter the game with a 15-game losing streak.
Quote To Note:
"This is a complicated defense, and it's been amazing to see him pick things up so fast. He's our quarterback. He gets us lined up, makes the calls, handles all the checks. He's going to be a great player for a long time."
—DE Leonard Little on rookie MLB James Laurinaitis.
STRATEGY & PERSONNEL
Player Notes
QB Marc Bulger took all the snaps with the first unit Wednesday and will start Sunday against Jacksonville.
QB Kyle Boller passed his baseline test Tuesday after suffering a mild concussion Sunday against Minnesota. Boller split snaps with Keith Null with the scout team in practice Wednesday. Boller will have another baseline test Friday.
OT Jason Smith took some limited reps at right tackle with the first unit Wednesday while taking all the snaps at left tackle with the scout team. Smith would likely need to take a lot more snaps Thursday if he were to start Sunday. Smith started the first two games of the season, but hasn't played since injuring his knee late in the first half of the Week 2 game against Washington.
WR Ruvell Martin was limited Wednesday and mostly rode the bike on the side as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
S James Butler participated in limited reps with the scout team in practice Wednesday. Butler has been out since suffering a knee injury on the second play of the Week 3 game against Green Bay.
CB Justin King practiced on a limited basis Wednesday because of a knee injury, but still has a good chance of playing this week against Jacksonville.
S Anthony Smith had an MRI for an Achilles injury, but nothing serious was discovered. Smith did limited work in practice Wednesday.
DT Gary Gibson underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a broken ankle, and has been placed on injured reserve.
Game Plan:
The plan remains simple for the Rams: Hold onto the football. That's basic football. Running behind Steven Jackson will always be the team's biggest priority, but stretching the field will also be the goal with Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton becoming more of a factor. It's also possible WR Tim Carter could provide a deep threat.
Defensively, the obvious goal is to limit RB Maurice Jones-Drew and stop the Jaguars on third down. If the Rams are able to play a "clean" game as they did in a Week-2 9-7 road loss to Washington, they have a chance.
Matchups To Watch:
Rams RB Steven Jackson vs. Jaguars MLB Justin Durant. The Rams' interior line will try to open holes for Jackson, who hopes he can strike for some big plays against the Jacksonville defense.
Rams WRs Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton vs. Jaguars CBs Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis. The Jaguars rank 30th in the NFL in pass defense, allowing a 69.9 percent completion rate. Avery and Burton have begun to make plays, so if the line can give QB Marc Bulger time, he could pick apart the Jacksonville secondary.
Injury Impact:
SS Craig Dahl has played well replacing the injured James Butler (knee), so Butler likely won't be rushed back. It is more likely he will play the following week against the Colts … OT Jason Smith (knee) is itching to get back in the lineup, but the Rams' line has now started four consecutive games together.
In 1983, the Rams set a franchise record with 24 lost fumbles. If the current Rams don't find a way to correct their chronic case of butter-fingers, that record will be shattered.
Through five games, the Rams lead the NFL with nine lost fumbles, a figure that projects to 29 for the season. Twenty-six NFL teams have four lost fumbles or less. The only teams with more than four are Oakland (eight), Jacksonville and Tennessee (six), and Buffalo and Carolina (five).
Not coincidentally, the six teams with five or more including the Rams have a combined record of 5-24.
The Rams are also tied for the league lead with Washington for total fumbles with 12, although the Redskins have lost just four. Only the Rams (12/9), Oakland (11/8), Tennessee (9/6), Jacksonville (8/6), Buffalo (8/5), Denver (7/4), Cleveland 6/4) and San Diego (5/3) have lost more than half of their fumbles.
At minus-7 (12 turnovers, five takeaways), the Rams have the second-worst turnover ratio in the league. Only Carolina is worse at minus-9. Since the Rams had three takeaways in the first quarter of the season opener, they have just two takeaways in the next 19 quarters.
Compounding the problem is the usual negative results of their own miscues. Of the 12 turnovers, six have resulted in touchdowns, with four scored on the turnover in the last two games. Adding in two field goals, 48 of the 146 points against have been the result of turnovers.
Meanwhile, four turnovers have come in the red zone from the opponent's 5-yard line or closer.
Numerous players have shared in the malaise. Wide receiver Donnie Avery has lost two fumbles, one at the 5-yard line when the Rams were set to take a fourth-quarter lead at Washington. Quarterback Kyle Boller has lost two fumbles, with quarterback Marc Bulger, running back Steven Jackson, tight end Daniel Fells, wide receiver Danny Amendola and cornerback Quincy Butler also losing fumbles. Butler's came on a punt, when the ball hit his foot, bounced into the end zone and was recovered by the ***** for a touchdown.
Said coach Steve Spagnuolo, "It's a ball security thing. We're preaching it all the time. It'll get solved. It's funny they're all a different way. If you think back, they're all different. But it's the same result.
"I don't know if we can emphasize it more. We will continue to emphasize it. (But) we can't turn the ball over; that's been our Achilles heel now."
Added defensive end Leonard Little, "The only thing separating us from winning games is mistakes. We all know what the problem is."
SERIES HISTORY: 3rd meeting. Rams lead the series, 2-0, playing in 1996 and 2005. Both previous games have been played in St. Louis and won by three points.
NOTES & QUOTES
QB Marc Bulger practiced with the first unit Wednesday and will start Sunday against Jacksonville.
Bulger said there are "no side effects" from his brief time on the field last week against Minnesota, and added, "The true test will come this week. But every day, it's getting better and today showed I can function in a game."
He completed all seven of his passes for 88 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, but Bulger admitted that means little.
"We were getting beat so bad, so I won't hang my hat on that. It won't have an impact on this week. Every week is different."
Bulger missed two starts because of a bruised rotator cuff.
LT Alex Barron turned in an impressive performance against Minnesota after being benched the week before for lining up off the line of scrimmage.
Six days after DE Jared Allen had 4.5 sacks against Green Bay, Allen had none in his matchup with Barron.
Said coach Steve Spagnuolo, "I thought he did a really good job. I thought Alex had one of his better games against we all know a legitimate player, a real good player. But again, as a group I thought the offensive line did a pretty good job."
Barron said he got no added motivation by facing Allen or from the benching.
"You've got to be motivated every week, no matter who you're going against," he said. "A different week is a different challenge."
The passing game took some deep shots against Minnesota and part of the reason is tied to the improved protection from the offensive line. After several years of ever-changing parts, virtually the same line has started all five games. The only switch from opening day has been Adam Goldberg for rookie Jason Smith at right tackle after Smith injured his knee against Washington.
But that was hardly a change because Goldberg played there with the first unit for most of the preseason.
More downfield throws might be added with the return this week of WR Tim Carter, who had been released in the cutdown to 53 players.
"I stayed in pretty good shape," Carter said. "Hopefully my retention of the offense is pretty good. They've got some new stuff in there. I'm looking at that and picking it up."
By The Numbers:
10/19/2008—The last date the Rams won a game, a 34-14 win over Dallas. Sunday's game is 10/18, and the Rams enter the game with a 15-game losing streak.
Quote To Note:
"This is a complicated defense, and it's been amazing to see him pick things up so fast. He's our quarterback. He gets us lined up, makes the calls, handles all the checks. He's going to be a great player for a long time."
—DE Leonard Little on rookie MLB James Laurinaitis.
STRATEGY & PERSONNEL
Player Notes
QB Marc Bulger took all the snaps with the first unit Wednesday and will start Sunday against Jacksonville.
QB Kyle Boller passed his baseline test Tuesday after suffering a mild concussion Sunday against Minnesota. Boller split snaps with Keith Null with the scout team in practice Wednesday. Boller will have another baseline test Friday.
OT Jason Smith took some limited reps at right tackle with the first unit Wednesday while taking all the snaps at left tackle with the scout team. Smith would likely need to take a lot more snaps Thursday if he were to start Sunday. Smith started the first two games of the season, but hasn't played since injuring his knee late in the first half of the Week 2 game against Washington.
WR Ruvell Martin was limited Wednesday and mostly rode the bike on the side as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
S James Butler participated in limited reps with the scout team in practice Wednesday. Butler has been out since suffering a knee injury on the second play of the Week 3 game against Green Bay.
CB Justin King practiced on a limited basis Wednesday because of a knee injury, but still has a good chance of playing this week against Jacksonville.
S Anthony Smith had an MRI for an Achilles injury, but nothing serious was discovered. Smith did limited work in practice Wednesday.
DT Gary Gibson underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a broken ankle, and has been placed on injured reserve.
Game Plan:
The plan remains simple for the Rams: Hold onto the football. That's basic football. Running behind Steven Jackson will always be the team's biggest priority, but stretching the field will also be the goal with Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton becoming more of a factor. It's also possible WR Tim Carter could provide a deep threat.
Defensively, the obvious goal is to limit RB Maurice Jones-Drew and stop the Jaguars on third down. If the Rams are able to play a "clean" game as they did in a Week-2 9-7 road loss to Washington, they have a chance.
Matchups To Watch:
Rams RB Steven Jackson vs. Jaguars MLB Justin Durant. The Rams' interior line will try to open holes for Jackson, who hopes he can strike for some big plays against the Jacksonville defense.
Rams WRs Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton vs. Jaguars CBs Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis. The Jaguars rank 30th in the NFL in pass defense, allowing a 69.9 percent completion rate. Avery and Burton have begun to make plays, so if the line can give QB Marc Bulger time, he could pick apart the Jacksonville secondary.
Injury Impact:
SS Craig Dahl has played well replacing the injured James Butler (knee), so Butler likely won't be rushed back. It is more likely he will play the following week against the Colts … OT Jason Smith (knee) is itching to get back in the lineup, but the Rams' line has now started four consecutive games together.
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