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St. Louis Rams' Steve Spagnuolo takes stock of team
BY BILL COATS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/04/2009
At the halfway mark of the season, the Rams find themselves in last place in the NFC West, last in the NFL in scoring (77 points) and last in the league in points yielded (221).
But they did hit the midway point — and their bye week — on the heels of their first win in more than a year, a 17-10 triumph Sunday in Detroit. So, coach Steve Spagnuolo's informal "State of the Team" address Tuesday was generally upbeat.
"There were some struggles; there were some good things," he said. "But we've built something. We talked this morning about the foundation we wanted to build. There's some trust, there's mutual respect, there's unity on the team. I think more than anything, we take that away" from the opening eight games.
The Rams were blown out five times, crushed 179-33 in those routs. Still, with a couple of breaks they could've pulled out wins at Washington and Jacksonville and stand 3-5 instead of 1-7.
"It was a rough road, let's face it; we had seven losses," Spagnuolo noted. "But to see what the guys did — and I'm not talking about on the field — what they did as people and what they did together, that probably sticks in my head more than anything."
And Spagnuolo firmly believes that his group can compete with anyone on the second half of the schedule. That includes unbeaten New Orleans, which visits the Edward Jones Dome on Nov. 15.
"There's always things to work on; every team goes through that," Spagnuolo said. "But we've got enough talent here, we've got guys that want to work at it, we've got guys that can make plays. We've just got to keep plugging away.
"We're going to play some good football teams, and hopefully we'll be playing some good football, too."
NEW CORNERBACK
In yet another roster move, cornerback Danny Gorrer has been signed off the Saints' practice squad. Wide receiver Tim Carter was released to open a spot for Gorrer on the 53-man roster.
Gorrer, a 6-foot, 185-pound rookie from Texas A&M, joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was getting ready to leave for the Superdome and Monday night's game against Atlanta when he was rerouted to the airport.
"I was very surprised. I called my agent to see if they were joking," Gorrer said. "When I got to St. Louis, I caught the second half."
INJURY UPDATE
Guard Jacob Bell, who sustained a concussion Sunday, passed his neurological exam Tuesday morning but sat out practice. Spagnuolo said Bell would practice today.
Wide receiver and returner Danny Amendola, who also suffered a concussion, remained on the sideline Tuesday. He still was experiencing symptoms, so his exam was moved to today.
Defensive end C.J. Ah You (ankle) did some individual work.
NICK OF TIME
The Rams got a brief scare after Steven Jackson's 25-yard touchdown run put them in front with 1 minute, 38 seconds remaining Sunday. On Josh Brown's ensuing kickoff, speedy Derrick Williams bolted into an open lane and appeared to be headed for a long return.
But rookie K.C. Asiodu slid into the gap and brought down Williams at the 23-yard line.
"I saw the lane, and I was happy I was able to corral him to the ground," said Asiodu (uh-SAH-doo). Had Asiodu missed, Brown might've been the Rams' last hope.
"We pursue hard to the ball, so hopefully somebody else would've been able to (stop Williams)," Asiodu said. "You never want to force your kicker to make a tackle."
RAM-BLINGS
After today's practice, the players will be off until Monday. ... Guard Richie Incognito (foot) will shed his orthopedic boot Monday and begin more strenuous rehab. ... Gorrer is wearing No. 25.
BY BILL COATS
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/04/2009
At the halfway mark of the season, the Rams find themselves in last place in the NFC West, last in the NFL in scoring (77 points) and last in the league in points yielded (221).
But they did hit the midway point — and their bye week — on the heels of their first win in more than a year, a 17-10 triumph Sunday in Detroit. So, coach Steve Spagnuolo's informal "State of the Team" address Tuesday was generally upbeat.
"There were some struggles; there were some good things," he said. "But we've built something. We talked this morning about the foundation we wanted to build. There's some trust, there's mutual respect, there's unity on the team. I think more than anything, we take that away" from the opening eight games.
The Rams were blown out five times, crushed 179-33 in those routs. Still, with a couple of breaks they could've pulled out wins at Washington and Jacksonville and stand 3-5 instead of 1-7.
"It was a rough road, let's face it; we had seven losses," Spagnuolo noted. "But to see what the guys did — and I'm not talking about on the field — what they did as people and what they did together, that probably sticks in my head more than anything."
And Spagnuolo firmly believes that his group can compete with anyone on the second half of the schedule. That includes unbeaten New Orleans, which visits the Edward Jones Dome on Nov. 15.
"There's always things to work on; every team goes through that," Spagnuolo said. "But we've got enough talent here, we've got guys that want to work at it, we've got guys that can make plays. We've just got to keep plugging away.
"We're going to play some good football teams, and hopefully we'll be playing some good football, too."
NEW CORNERBACK
In yet another roster move, cornerback Danny Gorrer has been signed off the Saints' practice squad. Wide receiver Tim Carter was released to open a spot for Gorrer on the 53-man roster.
Gorrer, a 6-foot, 185-pound rookie from Texas A&M, joined the Saints as an undrafted free agent. He was getting ready to leave for the Superdome and Monday night's game against Atlanta when he was rerouted to the airport.
"I was very surprised. I called my agent to see if they were joking," Gorrer said. "When I got to St. Louis, I caught the second half."
INJURY UPDATE
Guard Jacob Bell, who sustained a concussion Sunday, passed his neurological exam Tuesday morning but sat out practice. Spagnuolo said Bell would practice today.
Wide receiver and returner Danny Amendola, who also suffered a concussion, remained on the sideline Tuesday. He still was experiencing symptoms, so his exam was moved to today.
Defensive end C.J. Ah You (ankle) did some individual work.
NICK OF TIME
The Rams got a brief scare after Steven Jackson's 25-yard touchdown run put them in front with 1 minute, 38 seconds remaining Sunday. On Josh Brown's ensuing kickoff, speedy Derrick Williams bolted into an open lane and appeared to be headed for a long return.
But rookie K.C. Asiodu slid into the gap and brought down Williams at the 23-yard line.
"I saw the lane, and I was happy I was able to corral him to the ground," said Asiodu (uh-SAH-doo). Had Asiodu missed, Brown might've been the Rams' last hope.
"We pursue hard to the ball, so hopefully somebody else would've been able to (stop Williams)," Asiodu said. "You never want to force your kicker to make a tackle."
RAM-BLINGS
After today's practice, the players will be off until Monday. ... Guard Richie Incognito (foot) will shed his orthopedic boot Monday and begin more strenuous rehab. ... Gorrer is wearing No. 25.
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