Week 13: Rams vs Miami Dolphins, open thread
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 11:39 AM CST
101 comments
Miami Dolphins at St. Louis Rams, Nov 30, 2008 12:00 PM CST
Another week, another rant about the Rams lines. I'm starting to at least find comfort in the steadiness of the theme.
But let's throw that aside; make it a standing assumption - sort of like accounting for the throngs of opposing fans at the Dome.
The Dolphins are a fine team, already with six more wins than they totaled last season, and one that we hopefully see as a future vision of our own hapless Rams. A cleaned out and ideologically committed front office, sensible and impactful personnel moves, fans again enjoying the distraction of weekly ritual...it happened to them and with the right course, it'll happen to us.
That said, wouldn't there be something entirely appropriate in beating the Dolphins today? A statement of impending change. Not an easy task, but here are a couple of personal, uniformed observations linked to the possibility.
- Run the ball, no matter how futile it seems - and each Rams offensive possession carries a high amount of futility nowadays anyway - commit to the run with a healthy Steven Jackson. Jackson has the ability to break off a good run, where other backs wouldn't get more than a yard or two. That forces the Dolphins to respect the run, thus opening the opportunity for the Rams to inflict damage through the air, a Miami weakspot.
- Slow the game, feel the ball, be the ball. The defense can't get beat with reverses and the Wildcat formation. If the Rams defenders can flow to the ball, they can at least stem some of the bleeding. Being in the right position obviously helps.
- I said it last week and I'll say it again this week, respond well to adversity. The Dolphins are going to score and will probably get a lead over the Rams at some point in the first half. Whether that leads stays within a 7-10 point margin (no small gap for the Rams I realize) or another 30 point laugher is up to the players. Prevent more of the same, and it's already something of a victory.
Scores and updates at the SBN Scoreboard.
GO RAMS!!!
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opening possession
that was a good series for the Rams, best in a long time. And what did they do? Run Steven Jackson. Of course, the PI against Avery helped. Should have gone to SJ more in their last set of downs in the red zone, esp on that 2nd down.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:11 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
nice coverage on the Kick too
kept Ginn inside the 20
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Looked solid on that possession
Good pressure by C-Long, tackling was nice, especially the drive-ender by Craft. Looking good so far.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 12:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
so far
a series for both the O and D, this is looking like a much better game than we’re used to. Both sides of hte ball the Rams look sharp.
Advantage: Chris Long
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Could we make it to halftime without being embarassed?
It is early though…
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 12:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Another good run for SJ
set up by a good hole.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 12:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
2nd and 15
Draw to Darby? Strange play call.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 12:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Greco
the rookie’s been in there for some reps in place of Bell
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Played solidly so far too
O-line has made holes and given Bulger time
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
two good drives
Avery gets a break on that false start, rookie mistake. but that was a damn good drive.
who is this offensive line?
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Did we lose everybody?
Hello out there?
Maybe the CBS thing threw people for a loop, or maybe the prospects of playing Miami after the last four games, people gave up.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm still here
Just hoping they lose (Sad, I know)
by Option27 on Nov 30, 2008 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
CBS
I do like CBS much better. Maybe i’m just old
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Special teams
good play by the ST too. excellent coverage.
who is this team?
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Gus Johnson
I was stoked to hear Johnson calling this game- he is the best
by ukdutch on Nov 30, 2008 12:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Steven Jackson
He’s off to a real good start. Jackson has a huge impact on this offense. The D looks sharp so far too.
by ksmooth on Nov 30, 2008 12:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
bad tackling
the defense is playing decently, but some bad tackling has cost them.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 12:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
SJ vs AP
I am from the frozen north so I am watching the livecast via NFL.com. Why did I just read that Bulger threw an incomplete pass to AP? Why would anything underneath NOT be thrown to SJ. This makes no sense. I am overly sensitive at this point but SJ is our chance to win. Patience waning…
by arctikphox on Nov 30, 2008 12:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Injury sensitivity, methinks
Haslett’s probably hesitant to get SJ too involved, since he’s coming off of the thigh injury
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point.
Hard when I can only watch the gamecast and can get no sense of what is going on. Clearly, so far, this has been am improvement. Is Mr Irrelevant doing a decent job? I can’t help but cheer for him a little.
by arctikphox on Nov 30, 2008 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He's been fine.
Played solidly in the middle, but the Fins aren’t attacking that part of the field.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wildcat didn't work so well
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 12:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Brown
Josh Brown has been money all season.
by ksmooth on Nov 30, 2008 1:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good half
the Rams offense just isn’t good enough to switch it up in the red zone. but they’ve done a damn good job today with SJ back in the lineup.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 1:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yes, now its just the passing game that is substandard
tho im torn between who to blame that on
by FunkeeC on Nov 30, 2008 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
myriad of factors
Bulger’s not 100%, the line doesn’t always give him time, Holt can’t always get out of coverage….
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Which is disheartening
because Miami has a pretty weak pass D
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
red zone
there’s some “smarter than ourselves” play calling in the red zone. a pass to Anthony Becht? The draw to Darby? why waste a down with those calls?
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 1:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
no sacks
no sacks in the first half against the Rams!!
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 1:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
A lot of positives from that half
Given the past three weeks, this was a great first half for us simply for the fact that we’re still in the game. We have some things to improve on (RZ, pass D along the sidelines), but we had some things going for us, noticeably, the O-line. I don’t know what the hell got into the front 5 this morning, but it’s working. As Van just mentioned, no sacks, SJ has had holes to run through, Bulger has had time to throw… It’s been a while since I’ve been pleased by the O-line’s play. And Richie Incognito has been, well, incognito, and that’s a good thing too.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 1:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Horrible way to end that drive
Pittman’s great run gets us a nice 1st down. A drop from Joe Klopfenstein (trade/release him ASAP. He’s junk.), a missed assignment to block Joey Porter on 2nd, and poor pass blocking forces Bulger to throw it away on 3rd. Disappointing.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 1:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Horrible no call
Ugh. Offensive PI didn’t get called when Craft got blocked in pass coverage.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 1:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bulger has to shoulder that INT
Completely his fault. Trying to find a covered SJ and didn’t see the LB underneath. Poor QB play on his part.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Is anyone still watching?
This has been a lonely 3rd quarter in this thread. Van, holler.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
if by watching
you mean following the nfl.com gamecast yes….
by FunkeeC on Nov 30, 2008 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
stuck in the middle
why are they not using the middle of the field for passes? almost all to the sidelines.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 2:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
battle of the fg's
glad i have josh brown for fantasy football purposes
by FunkeeC on Nov 30, 2008 2:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Field Goals
We have to get into the endzone. Field goals are not enough
by ksmooth on Nov 30, 2008 2:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I didn't realize Miami was so elite...
—-because surely Bulger isn’t this bad?
by arctikphox on Nov 30, 2008 2:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bulger haters
the Bulger haters are out already.
that second INT was his fault, but I don’t think he’s exactly held the Rams back today. not saying he’s Manning-like or anything, but doesn’t deserve the crap he’ll get on talk radio an the message boards.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 2:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I gotta disagree
I’ve been a Bulger defender all season (and will continue to be), but the two interceptions were his fault and his fault alone. In a game like this where points are at a premium, those two INT’s could have been two FG’s. I won’t even assume we could have actually scored a TD. He’s picked a horrible half of the game to start throwing picks.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
12 for 28 is nothing to hang your hat on either.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
really
Jackson should have been used more (don’t know if they felt it was a health issue) than trying to get completions from bulger in some of those situations.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The difference in halves
1st half: 15 rushes, 72 yards
2nd half: 6 rushes, 22 yards
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
a decent game from him
and we are winning……
though since im not watching im not gonna get crazy with the blame
by FunkeeC on Nov 30, 2008 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not watching
I only have gamecast. From what I am seeing though we can run, we have all the time, no sacks but for some reason lots of incompletions and int’s. Again I am not watching so I’ll be the first to admit I do not have all of the information. Like it or not this is what it is to be an NFL QB. Read Warner, read Brady.
I am hoping for Bulger. The fact he is sticking in there with little to no support is impressive. He just needs to play when the opportunities are there.
by arctikphox on Nov 30, 2008 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pick
Another Killer INT for Bulger…You can not throw a pick in that spot. Unreal
by ksmooth on Nov 30, 2008 2:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
6 min
And we need a TD…can we get it done?
by ksmooth on Nov 30, 2008 2:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why not?
It’s not like we haven’t put drives together, we just haven’t finished any.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm on gamecast as well...I'm hoping we can put a drive together and punch one in. This would be a nice win
by ksmooth on Nov 30, 2008 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hate to kill the mood, but...
I’m watching so here’s your update: no.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You can't hear boos in GameCast
hehehe
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Derek Stanley does not need to be returning kicks/punts
Can we find a decent return man? I thought that was part of the appeal in drafting Donnie Avery.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ugh.
I can’t stand our TE’s. Why did Becht run that route short of the 1st down?
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Game just came on CBS - last 3 minutes
by arctikphox on Nov 30, 2008 2:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yes wee i get to see some of the game at least
by FunkeeC on Nov 30, 2008 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure that's a good thing
I’ve been watching the whole game, and I don’t wish this on anyone.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
—-oh we are a dedicated bunch. Geographically there are at least 10 teams closer. Yet here I am a hopless Rams fan who “jumped on the bandwagon” because we were going to win it all when Jim “throw from my backfoot” Everett was in charge.
by arctikphox on Nov 30, 2008 2:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good to see another past-era Rams fan on here
Everett gave us some good years. Better than Chris Miller or Tony Banks…
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait can be worth it
I actually made it to St Louis the year they won the SB. I booked the tickets as soon as they were available against the Browns as I was hoping we wouldn’t get blown out too bad. Needless to say we destroyed the Browns and as there were very few Rams fans it made it that much more special for those years. Still can’t beleive we let the Bus go.
by arctikphox on Nov 30, 2008 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
False start helps
3rd and 13. If we can’t stop this, we don’t deserve a chance.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
nice of them to give us the ball
lets see bulger get his game together
by FunkeeC on Nov 30, 2008 2:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, we have a shot.
Should be interesting to see our 2 minute drill with a win on the line.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
See above comment on Stanley
Either Donnie Avery returns next year, or we need a FA to come in and return
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed...with the game on the line avery needs to be in there...the eagles would have used Westbrook in that situation
by ksmooth on Nov 30, 2008 3:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Stanely on PRs
4 for 18 yards. Pure garbage
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Where's taiko and TackleBox?
Need more voices in here…
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I just signed on...
Down in Bucs territory for the holiday … was hoping the game would be on, but CBS was blocked out by those ridiculous NFL territory rules. 1:00 came around and this goofy bastard came on talking about grapes in coastal Washington and I had to admit defeat.
Sorry the game didn’t end better .. on the updates at least it looked semi-respectable.
"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz
by taiko on Nov 30, 2008 6:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dane Looker has made some plays today
Bulger has found him at least 4 times
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 2:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Please rule this a fumble
PLEASE
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 3:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice to see Incognito on the sideline
He deserves no part in the finish, regardless of whether we pull this out or not
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 3:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Still hesitant to throw it downfield
Is it Saunders? Haslett? Bulger? Lack of open receivers downfield? We haven’t looked deep since the PI call early in the 1st
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 3:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I guess that's why
3 INTs for Bulger today. Gross.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
long pass
they keep trying those long throws, and they haven’t worked for a long time. Hmmm.
by VanRam on Nov 30, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
They didn't really try them today, though
The early looks in the 1st (2 to Avery on 1st possession, 1 to Burton on 2nd possession) and that was it. I would have liked to have seen us go in the middle range (10-25 yards). We threw SO many short slants, which are nice, but you can’t chip away on field possession all day. Sure, you get some FGs and prevent your opponent from getting easy field position, but what did that get us? Another loss. I hope this teaches us something going into next year.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 3:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
At least I got to watch a Rams game today.
I haven’t gotten to watch my team since Rams-Cowboys. Glad to have DirecTV today, despite our offensive woes. Thanks for showing up everyone. Grades will be coming up later today. Voice your disagreements.
Jay Zygmunt, fire yourself.
by 3k on Nov 30, 2008 3:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
good game guys
2 Time Movie Quote Game Winner
by DolfinPhan on Nov 30, 2008 3:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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