12.14.2009 3:58 pm
Spagnuolo: If Boller heals, he’ll probably start vs. Texans
By Bill Coats
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
On Monday, St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo actually compared his rookie quarterback, Keith Null, with future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Only kidding, coach.
But Spagnuolo did have a point to make a day after Null was intercepted five times in his first NFL regular-season action, a 47-7 shellacking at Tennessee.
“I’m not comparing Keith to Peyton Manning, OK?” Spagnuolo said. “But I think in his first year he had a bunch of interceptions early. Now again, please don’t be writing down that I’m comparing Keith to (Manning). But that’s what they go through. (Null will) learn from it. I know he will.”
Manning set an NFL record for interceptions by a rookie, tossing 28 in 1998. He was picked off three times in his first game and had tossed 11 picks after just four outings. It wasn’t until Manning’s seventh game that he went interception-free.
So, Null is in good company. But he might not be back in the starting lineup Sunday when the Texans visit the Edward Jones Dome. Spagnuolo indicated that if Kyle Boller’s sore thigh, which kept him out vs. the Titans, heals this week, he’ll get the call.
“I would tend to lean that way, but I’m not going to commit to that a hundred percent,” Spagnuolo said. “Kyle’s been a competitor for us. If he’s healthy, I think he can help us win.”
Notes & quotes:
*Among a long list of injuries suffered Sunday, G Jacob Bell’s was the most serious. He tore a hamstring, which could land him on injured reserve.
*LBs David Vobora (knee, ankle) and Larry Grant (knee) both had MRI exams, although the results weren’t available.
*RB Steven Jackson (back) was “very sore, obviously. But hopefully no worse,” Spagnuolo reported.
*Spagnuolo acknowledged that the possibility of shutting down rookie T Jason Smith for the rest of the season has been discussed. Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, has missed three games after suffering a concussion and still is experiencing symptoms.
*As this is written (before Monday night’s game), the 1-12 Rams would have the No. 1 overall selection in the 2010 draft because they’ve played a weaker schedule than the 1-12 Buccaneers.
Spagnuolo: If Boller heals, he’ll probably start vs. Texans
By Bill Coats
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
On Monday, St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo actually compared his rookie quarterback, Keith Null, with future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Only kidding, coach.
But Spagnuolo did have a point to make a day after Null was intercepted five times in his first NFL regular-season action, a 47-7 shellacking at Tennessee.
“I’m not comparing Keith to Peyton Manning, OK?” Spagnuolo said. “But I think in his first year he had a bunch of interceptions early. Now again, please don’t be writing down that I’m comparing Keith to (Manning). But that’s what they go through. (Null will) learn from it. I know he will.”
Manning set an NFL record for interceptions by a rookie, tossing 28 in 1998. He was picked off three times in his first game and had tossed 11 picks after just four outings. It wasn’t until Manning’s seventh game that he went interception-free.
So, Null is in good company. But he might not be back in the starting lineup Sunday when the Texans visit the Edward Jones Dome. Spagnuolo indicated that if Kyle Boller’s sore thigh, which kept him out vs. the Titans, heals this week, he’ll get the call.
“I would tend to lean that way, but I’m not going to commit to that a hundred percent,” Spagnuolo said. “Kyle’s been a competitor for us. If he’s healthy, I think he can help us win.”
Notes & quotes:
*Among a long list of injuries suffered Sunday, G Jacob Bell’s was the most serious. He tore a hamstring, which could land him on injured reserve.
*LBs David Vobora (knee, ankle) and Larry Grant (knee) both had MRI exams, although the results weren’t available.
*RB Steven Jackson (back) was “very sore, obviously. But hopefully no worse,” Spagnuolo reported.
*Spagnuolo acknowledged that the possibility of shutting down rookie T Jason Smith for the rest of the season has been discussed. Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, has missed three games after suffering a concussion and still is experiencing symptoms.
*As this is written (before Monday night’s game), the 1-12 Rams would have the No. 1 overall selection in the 2010 draft because they’ve played a weaker schedule than the 1-12 Buccaneers.