Rams report card vs. Bills
Here’s one blogger’s grades for the Rams after Sunday’s 31-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills:
QUARTERBACK: Trent Green had some nice moments in his first start since coach Scott Linehan benched Marc Bulger. Green led TD drives of 67 and 89 yards, which produced a 14-6 halftime lead. But the Rams were shut out over the last 43:41, and an interception for a touchdown by CB Jabari Greer on the opening play of the fourth quarter was a crusher. GRADE: C-
RUNNING BACKS: Steven Jackson had his first 100-yard-plus outing of the year, which included a 29-yard touchdown run. He also caught five passes for 78 yards. Overall, the Rams averaged 5.8 yards per carry against a Buffalo defense that had been very stingy against the run in the first three weeks. GRADE: B+
RECEIVERS: The wideouts totaled just nine receptions, including four by Torry Holt and three by rookie Donnie Avery in his first start. Lined up as a tailback, Avery sprinted 37 yards for a touchdown. Only two catches for TD Randy McMichael. GRADE: C+
OFFENSIVE LINE: The protection was just OK. Green was sacked twice and pressured several other times. Jackson was provided with a couple of nice holes, but he ground out much of his real estate on effort. GRADE: C
DEFENSIVE LINE: The Rams sacked QB Trent Edwards four times, with DE Leonard Little getting a pair. RB Marshawn Lynch averaged just 3.0 yards on 19 carries. But cut-back runs did significant damage in the second half, when the Bills rallied. GRADE: C+
LINEBACKERS: No glaring deficiencies but no big plays, either, from an area that needs to produce some. GRADE: D+
SECONDARY: Newcomers Jason Craft and Ricky Manning Jr. were forced into larger-than-expected roles when CB Tye Hill went out with a knee injury in the first quarter. Craft was OK, but he gave up a big scoring pass, and a two-point conversion, in the last period. Manning made some nice plays. CB Ron Bartell was strong in coverage. GRADE: C+
SPECIAL TEAMS: Another big day for P Donnie Jones, who averaged 56.2 yards on five punts. K Josh Brown missed his only field goal try, from 51 yards. Coverage was less than ideal. Rams returns were generally unproductive. GRADE: C-
COACHING: The offensive game plan was creative, and effective in the early going. Coach Al Saunders dialed up several trick plays. The defense had perhaps its best half of the year before the break. But when the Rams relinquished their eight-point lead and the momentum, the life drained away quickly. Whatever motivation and inspiration were evident early faded rapidly. GRADE: C-
I must say that after losing for so long it sure is nice to see the Rams playing competitive football again, even if it is just for one half of a game. I give the whole team an A simply for moving in the right direction. Trent Green was the right choice at quarterback and they came out and actually put some air under the ball and used some trick plays. I came away from the game rather pleased but I still think that Linehan must go. The Rams can play every game this season like they have nothing to lose like they did today and it will eventually lead to a win.