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Rams notebook: Jackson, Brown are stars for Rams
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/02/2009
DETROIT — Steven Jackson's rushing heroics and kicker Josh Brown's touchdown pass were the attention grabbers in the Rams' 17-10 victory Sunday over Detroit, and rightfully so.
Jackson's 25-yard touchdown run snapped a 10-10 tie in the fourth quarter, and Brown's 36-yard TD pass to Daniel Fells on a fake field goal in the second quarter accounted for the Rams' only other touchdown.
But the Rams' defense did its part, limiting the Lions and play-caller Scott Linehan to 10 points and 289 yards offense. Both were the second-lowest totals yielded in those categories by the Rams this season.
Linehan, the Lions' offensive coordinator and former Rams head coach, kept the visiting team off-balance early with several cutback running plays and screen passes. But the Rams adjusted, particularly on passes to Lions backs Kevin Smith, Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown.
"We came out pressuring (the quarterback) a little bit," linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "I think when you pressure and they're able to get the back out on you, sometimes that can cause some problems. ... They hit us on a few things and we were able to adjust."
With Lions wideout Calvin Johnson a pregame scratch because of a knee injury, the Rams' cornerbacks clamped down on Detroit's wide receivers. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, was two for 14 to his receiver corps. One of them, a 36-yarder to former Arizona Cardinal Bryant Johnson early in the fourth quarter, set up the Lions' only touchdown.
"Our corners played exceptionally well," said Laurinaitis, who had a team-high seven tackles.
Defensive ends Leonard Little and Chris Long had sacks for the Rams. Long's sack was his first of the season. Little's sack came on third down late in the fourth quarter and forced a Lions punt that set up the Rams' game-winning touchdown drive.
BUTLER'S MISCUE
Not everything went well for the Rams' secondary. Its only takeaway of the day resulted in two points for the Lions. Safety James Butler intercepted a Stafford pass in the end zone early in the second quarter. Butler came out of the end zone, then reversed field and was tackled in the end zone by Smith for a safety.
"I thought I could come out," Butler said. "I saw a clear lane. I made one (player) miss, but I didn't see the other guy from the other side. Next time I'll see him."
It was the first safety allowed by the Rams since quarterback Marc Bulger was sacked in the end zone by Seahawks linebacker Orlando Huff on Dec. 14, 2003.
INJURY UPDATE
Wide receiver and return man Danny Amendola left early in the fourth quarter with a possible concussion after getting hammered on a kickoff return by Detroit linebacker Zach Follett. Brandon Gibson, who was acquired in the trade that sent linebacker Will Witherspoon to Philadelphia, replaced Amendola in three-wide receiver formations. Cornerback Quincy Butler took over punt return duties.
About the same time that Amendola was injured, left guard Jacob Bell also left the game. The injury was announced as a pinched nerve, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said later that Bell probably suffered a concussion. Mark Setterstrom replaced Bell.
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/02/2009
DETROIT — Steven Jackson's rushing heroics and kicker Josh Brown's touchdown pass were the attention grabbers in the Rams' 17-10 victory Sunday over Detroit, and rightfully so.
Jackson's 25-yard touchdown run snapped a 10-10 tie in the fourth quarter, and Brown's 36-yard TD pass to Daniel Fells on a fake field goal in the second quarter accounted for the Rams' only other touchdown.
But the Rams' defense did its part, limiting the Lions and play-caller Scott Linehan to 10 points and 289 yards offense. Both were the second-lowest totals yielded in those categories by the Rams this season.
Linehan, the Lions' offensive coordinator and former Rams head coach, kept the visiting team off-balance early with several cutback running plays and screen passes. But the Rams adjusted, particularly on passes to Lions backs Kevin Smith, Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown.
"We came out pressuring (the quarterback) a little bit," linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "I think when you pressure and they're able to get the back out on you, sometimes that can cause some problems. ... They hit us on a few things and we were able to adjust."
With Lions wideout Calvin Johnson a pregame scratch because of a knee injury, the Rams' cornerbacks clamped down on Detroit's wide receivers. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, was two for 14 to his receiver corps. One of them, a 36-yarder to former Arizona Cardinal Bryant Johnson early in the fourth quarter, set up the Lions' only touchdown.
"Our corners played exceptionally well," said Laurinaitis, who had a team-high seven tackles.
Defensive ends Leonard Little and Chris Long had sacks for the Rams. Long's sack was his first of the season. Little's sack came on third down late in the fourth quarter and forced a Lions punt that set up the Rams' game-winning touchdown drive.
BUTLER'S MISCUE
Not everything went well for the Rams' secondary. Its only takeaway of the day resulted in two points for the Lions. Safety James Butler intercepted a Stafford pass in the end zone early in the second quarter. Butler came out of the end zone, then reversed field and was tackled in the end zone by Smith for a safety.
"I thought I could come out," Butler said. "I saw a clear lane. I made one (player) miss, but I didn't see the other guy from the other side. Next time I'll see him."
It was the first safety allowed by the Rams since quarterback Marc Bulger was sacked in the end zone by Seahawks linebacker Orlando Huff on Dec. 14, 2003.
INJURY UPDATE
Wide receiver and return man Danny Amendola left early in the fourth quarter with a possible concussion after getting hammered on a kickoff return by Detroit linebacker Zach Follett. Brandon Gibson, who was acquired in the trade that sent linebacker Will Witherspoon to Philadelphia, replaced Amendola in three-wide receiver formations. Cornerback Quincy Butler took over punt return duties.
About the same time that Amendola was injured, left guard Jacob Bell also left the game. The injury was announced as a pinched nerve, but coach Steve Spagnuolo said later that Bell probably suffered a concussion. Mark Setterstrom replaced Bell.
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