Rams win the turnover battle, lose the game
The Rams won the battle of the turnovers against the Falcons, finishing with a +3 margin thanks to some beautiful work by our no-names in the secondary and Ron Bartell's forced fumble.That was the same turnover margin as the San Francisco game the week before.
It's too bad because the Rams played a good game, maybe their best of the season considering the quality of the opponent. I hate when turnovers get the blame for a team's shortcomings, because teams don't lose just because of turnovers though that's been cited several times throughout the season as part of the Rams failings.
Several areas where the Rams need to improve were on display yesterday, and had the necessary parts been in place for those gaps the Falcons would not have been able to overcome their three turnovers...thus allowing them to wrongly blame turnovers for their loss.
And what were those parts? As if Atlanta's 263 yards rushing weren't enough of a clue... Atlanta was perfect in the red zone and goal to go situations, and two second quarter TDs exposed the weak middle of the Rams run defense. On first and goal at the 9-yard line, the Michael Turner punched it in for a TD with a run through the right end. Later, after a bout with botched punt coverage, Jerious Norwood had an 8-yard TD run through the left tackle hole.
Atlanta's running backs continually broke through the front line and ofter danced beyond the second tier, the linebackers' territory. When (note I'm not "saying" if) the Rams add a big run stuffing DT that won't happen as much. When (again not "if") they upgrade to a true middle linebacker, it'll happen even less. And there's one other part in the middle we need to mention, strong safety. Todd Johnson's done a fine job filling in for the over-the-hill Corey Chavous, but a real tackling machine in that spot would end the regular 200-yard rushing days for the Rams opponents.
And that's this morning's edition of "what we learned."
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There IS hope...
Here’s to landing Andre Smith or Michael Oher, getting contributions from Leonard/Darby/McMichael, Avery/Burton continuing to improve and using the rest of the draft/FA period to sure up our D behind Atogwe/Bartell/Long and OUTSIDE backer Witherspoon.
I still say we should find a way to trade Bulger, but that’s just me. Even on his better throws yesterday the guy can’t stop throwing off his back foot. But I know we’re probably stuck with him. Hopefully we’ll draft a QB around Rounds 3 or 4.
by bigwood25 on Dec 29, 2008 10:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
By the way
HUGE kudos to the fellas running TST! I can’t wait to log on everyday and see y’all’s takes on our beloved Rams! An active and growing community!
Let me toss Brian Billick and Mike Holmgren into our HC candidate discussions. If we dump Haslett, I say we need a guy with a pedigree.
by bigwood25 on Dec 29, 2008 10:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Who wouldn't want Billick or Holmgren?
That would be great, but the reality of landing those guys seems non-existent. Here’s to hoping.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you are going to fire yourself...have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
by 3k on Dec 29, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And thanks for reading!
Spread the word.
Jay Zygmunt, now that you are going to fire yourself...have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
by 3k on Dec 29, 2008 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Why not
Billick? I don’t think he’d command the huge $$$ like Cowher or Holmgren would. Personally, I’d like to see a guy who has proven himself in the past so the guys buy into him easier.
by bigwood25 on Dec 30, 2008 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Like Haslett?…
Jay Zygmunt, now that you are going to fire yourself...have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
by 3k on Dec 30, 2008 3:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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