Buffalo Bills @ St. Louis Rams GameThread, Sep 28, 2008 3:05 PM CDT

Rams vs Buffalo Bills, week 4, 9/28/08

by VanRam on Sep 28, 2008 1:33 PM CDT Comment 82 comments

Buffalo Bills @ St. Louis Rams

Welcome to the Trent Green era of Rams football. In case you're just waking up after a long night, no, this is not the year 2000. It's still '08 and the Rams find themselves on the precipice of change, already having reached irrelevancy sometime last season.

Jobs are on the line this week, mostly head coach Scott Linehan's, but the blue and gold clad Rams fans, still decked out in Marshall Faulk jerseys that recall better times, have turned into pitchfork toting masses have turned on GM Jay Zygmunt, whose deftness with a calculator has led to a depleted core of players. And fans demand a better product than what they've been given.

We knew the early schedule was going to be tough, and this week's game has been made even tougher by the emergence of the Bills and the incredibly poor play of the Rams thus far. The Rams are an 8.5 point underdog, and have yet to beat the spread this season. Not beating the spread this week is sure to force changes. Stay tuned.

Nevertheless, I'd still like to see a good game. I'm a fan; that's what I do; that's why I watch. A Donnie Avery touchdown dance sure would do wonders for the psyche, no?

For the Bills' perspective, head over to Buffalo Rumblings.

The game's on CBS this week, so fans of that networks, calmer, more rational approach to broadcasting NFL football should be happy to have a break from the usual Fox broadcasts. Fans of online viewing can catch some football today at Justin.tv; although, the Rams game is not featured.

GO RAMS!!!

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i will never root against one of my teams

but let’s just say i wouldn’t mind if the rams lost today.

by stlcardinalsfang on Sep 28, 2008 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

nice to see buffalo has been paying attention to game film

throw deep, rams cant cover…

by FunkeeC on Sep 28, 2008 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

HOLY...

they just scored…a touchdown!

Donnie Avery

by VanRam on Sep 28, 2008 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

is that what some speed can do?

by FunkeeC on Sep 28, 2008 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

switched up the playbook too

by VanRam on Sep 28, 2008 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So far so good.

The bills look a little shaky.

by arctikphox on Sep 28, 2008 3:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

CRAP!

If Tye Hill is …. inconsistent…who replaces him?

by arctikphox on Sep 28, 2008 3:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you do, get warmed up.....

by FunkeeC on Sep 28, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Notice

Green was with his offense on the sideline firing up his teammates. Finally a little emotion.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 3:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

early i know

but does trent look to be any improvement so far? results dont seem to be any different

by FunkeeC on Sep 28, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Protection

They have got to protect the quarterback. And how about some coverage on Kick returns here!

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see

the defense generate some turnovers in this game. Get to the q-back

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they have shown not a bit of ability to do that

and cant afford to blitz cause the secondary is getting eaten for dinner

by FunkeeC on Sep 28, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is Buffalo doing?

Have they not watched the tape? While our defense has sucked Bartell has been our shinning star. Stop throwing at him morons. Game ball performance so far for #24. Very impressive. Well done Long.

by arctikphox on Sep 28, 2008 3:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Bartell is legit. Nice work by Long. Witherspoon has sucked hard this year.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy Crap!!

A running game!!! Go Steven!

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Who saw this coming?

Still a long way to go but I hope Option21 didn’t put everything he owns on tthe Bills winning like he said he would.

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 28, 2008 3:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I said I should

But I didn’t

Still too early to call but I gotta say . . .

I’m loving it . . . As long as the reports are true that Linehan is gone either way

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops

Actually said “I would”. My bad

Still didn’t

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

3 Sacks!!!

This is the pressure we need. Expect turnovers to follow in this game!

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There it is!!!!

First INT. It’s time to attack! Something deep like a post to Avery or Torry

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll have to see in the 4th

If the defense stays pumped up, I don’t see why it won’t happen for us this week. But I don’t expect Trent Green to lead the offense to a 40 point day.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 4:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

?

Who switched our defense with people that can play

by borenson on Sep 28, 2008 4:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Exactly my thoughts.

Is Buffalo that overconfident ? Still a lot of football but this is weird.

by arctikphox on Sep 28, 2008 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe they all got the memo that Linehan is gone either way!

They still feel they can salvage the season!

My dreams are coming true!

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a difference with a pass rush makes.

by arctikphox on Sep 28, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's exactly it

it really helps the secondary when the quarterback is under pressure. There’s gotta be at least one more INT today.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There they are

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 4:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it is not too late

to get that bet down.

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 28, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

I really really want them to win now though since Scott is gone either way.

I really have faith that they can turn this ship around before it’s too late.

Never better than against a 3-0 team

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

um

back to reality I guess

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 4:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

okay

So the defense was our spark in the first half. Let’s see if our offense can pick up the defense on this next possession. I don’t hate Trent Green, but I think our chances are better with Bulger in there. Green’s been missing the mid-range passes, passes he should be making. Let’s see what they can do now.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 4:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why

aren’t they trying to get the ball to Avery?

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe cause they just wanted to prove he could score at least a TD

They already got that outta the way?

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get why

Linehan hasn’t played him more.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cause for some reason Linehan still think he can save his job if they win

And his idiotic mind thinks that his best chance at winning involves playing veterans like Lookers and totally ignoring the rooks like Avery

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What???

What kind of crap is that to run Leonard on a draw on 3rd and 23?? Why don’t you pass short to give Brown a better Kick Opp?? Even if we win this game, Linehan NEEDS to go. Give Haslett a chance. Or try to pick up Bill Cowher or Dick Jauron, or even Steve Mariucci. Poor play calling!

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There we go defense

Okay, so it’s the defense that creates the spark! We need a score on this drive. Get Avery involved. Run Jackson. It’s working. He’s got over 100 yards today. Protect the quarterback. Score.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

um...

Do sweeps ever work in the NFL? And would you run a sweep with a POWER back? Run him between the tackles. And then run a PA post to Holt or Avery, or seam to McMichael. Simple but effective.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

What did I say?

PUT BULGER IN!!!! He’s our best chance. He’s learned his lesson.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just saw the replay

was there even a Ram around that ball? All I saw was two Bills.

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 28, 2008 5:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a damn one

McMichael was covered short, and Holt was open deeper.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

GET GREEN OUT

Green is a backup. He is not our starter. Our starter is sitting on the bench, HEALTHY, and able to take us down the field. How many screw ups will it take for Linehan to put him in? An interception that gives up the lead, and a botched snap which forces us to punt. Bulger NOW.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

im not watching the game, just keeping up via nfl.com

but seriously, green looks to be doing worse than bulger ever did

by FunkeeC on Sep 28, 2008 5:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

try this

by adiueordie on Sep 28, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good lookin!

by FunkeeC on Sep 28, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now look

The defense is deflated and giving up yards now. Thanks Green. Thanks Linehan. This is our game to lose. Green IS doing worse. At least the defense still has fight but Linehan is doing nothing along with Green to help the D.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yea Craft!

So much better than Brown!

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 5:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Seahawks fan here

I dunno about you, but shouldn’t you be CHEERING for the Bills so that Linehan gets fired?

BTW, has Trent Green been knocked around much? Looks like the Bills got a pick 6 and got another TD.

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 5:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No

we think he is gone anyway but thanks for the suggestion.

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 28, 2008 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I think he's gone too but I think it's more like speeding up the process kind of deal.

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's ball game fellas

Let’s just be glad the Linehan era is finally over

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 5:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Coach Linehan, Coach Linehan would like to see you in his office. Bring your playbook.

by mpire on Sep 28, 2008 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not just Linehan

Haslett has done a piss poor job, trying to teach a complicated offense to players that cant execute it and probably don’t understand it. Jay Z and the others in the office need to be replaced. Look at Manning Jr. He’s a tough guy, he’s under 6 ft and 190 lbs and he’s probably the toughest player on the team. It starts with administration, then coaching, then players. This organization needs an overhaul. Linehan would be a good start though.

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spot on!

How about the front office thinking we were contenders last year and trading away draft picks for veterans? Not to mention wasting our 2nd round pick on a guy who was going to be a backup / change of pace guy at best, and wasn’t even good enough to do that well. And how about “being comfortable with what we have” at LB or S and not adding anyone there. And also not adding a young quarterback to develop for the future. And not being able to develop any impact players on either line, or building any cohesiveness there. Not to mention giving expensive extensions to a bunch of guys who really look like they don’t deserve it now.

The talent evaluation and construction of the team is really terrible. What’s worse, there aren’t as many young players or as much financial flexibility as there should be, so it’ll be harder to rebuild now. There needs to firm leaders from the top, and they have to bring in a whole new organizational team to execute it.

by apack on Sep 28, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are right about Haslett but !

yes i agree but i found out that during the NFL draft last year and the year before, that Haslett did not want to draft Carriker or T. Hill, and they both suck , specialy for #1 pics, so if this is true and Haslett had no controll over what deffensive players were drafted for his unit and J Zigmunt and Linehan did the picking for him i can see why his defence sucks like this, and who knows what else they dont let him have any controll over conserning the defence,. did he even get asked about Browns release ? lol i dont even thing they asked him about this , i would give Haslet a chance if Linehan and Zigmunt are out of the way ,but i would rether they just bring in Jimmi Jhonson and let him bild a super bowl team again, and Dick Vermele as the GM would be the right man for the Rams

by james535 on Sep 28, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Bill Walsh as special teams coach!

Oh wait, he’s already dead

by Option27 on Sep 28, 2008 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haslett and decision making

I think it’s really hard to tell exactly how draft-day decisions are made. But it’s clear that the overall decision-making process has been flawed. It would help a lot to bring in an experienced guy to set the tone for the organization and to establish an overall team-building philosophy. Essentially what Bill Parcels is doing for the Dolphins.

As for Haslett, his defense is consistently under-performing, so probably he should go too. I can’t see that he has done anything that merits a promotion, even a temporary one.

by apack on Sep 28, 2008 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hate haslett

… but if he gets tabbed as the ‘interim head coach,’ i won’t be too upset. given the usual fate of midseason coaching replacements, it’s not much of a promotion. it’s a pretty thankless position, waiting to be fired once the inevitable front office cleaning is done.

in terms of pure performance, neither he nor his chief assistant, rick venturi, merits another week’s paycheck from this organization.

"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 Sep 28, 2008 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the thing with Haslett

is that he knows how to be a head coach and right now, he’d be the first true head coach this team has had since probably Dick Vermiel. Martz probably wasn’t really up to the task, Joe Vitt certainly wasn’t, obviously Scott Linehan wasn’t. At least Haslett has experience at being an NFL head coach (which is something none of the previous three had ever been before their hire or appointment).

He may be keeping someone’s seat warm for next season, but I think from an organizational standpoint, Haslett is the smartest choice. You really can’t dump him because that would cause havoc with the defense. If you think it’s bad now, how bad do you think it’d be if they were trying to combine systems or learn a new system mid-season?

Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.

Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.

by Tackle Box on Sep 28, 2008 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's the trouble with logic

can’t argue any of those points. in fact, i could argue that leaving saunders as the OC helps him continue his unit’s gradual improvement. also, i’m more than willing to sacrifice whoever becomes the interim coach if a new gm comes in and wants to hire fresh blood.

emotional counterpoint: i just hate the guy, his teams, and their consistently undisciplined play. also i hate his bitter little face. i hate seeing him polluting the oxygen on our sideline. in conclusion: he sucks.

logical counterpoint: if experience was the only prerequisite, why not denny green? why not joe bugel? why not art shell? i’d take a guy with upside over that kind of experience.

"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 Sep 28, 2008 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carriker is not that bad

He could develop into a solid player…

by Gnick on Sep 28, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least you didn't give up 56 points.

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 5:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not yet

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 28, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haslett is the defensive coordinator

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I meant defense

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least Stephen Jackson is running well again.

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 5:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

from Wilcotts on the commentary

The Rams were scheduled to have a team photo taken last week, but it was called off.

by mpire on Sep 28, 2008 5:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well I think you need an actual football team to have a photo taken so....

Still, that’s unbelievable.

I loved the Greatest Show on Turf, now this…

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well hopefuly it's just another sign of a foregone conclusion

though you have to be impressed with the self control needed not to turn around and say.. yes they were going to take it the photo in the end zone.. but nobody showed up.

by mpire on Sep 28, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why

did the rams pull the toughest schedule in the league this year after going 3-13?

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's overrated, teams improve over time

The NFC East and AFC East faces the NFC West, so every team in the division has a tough schedule.

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but not every team went 3-13

which makes it tougher for the rams who had a worse record than the other teams in the NFC West. Think Josh

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it is because the other teams in our division

get to play us while we ahve to play them

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 28, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like Randy McMichael is hurt according to NFL.com

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, what ever made you think that???

by CAramsfanfromNJ on Sep 28, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is St. Louis the first team to allow 30+ in 4 straight games?

Josh Who?

by SSreporters on Sep 28, 2008 6:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well..

I could say that it was nice to see the team come out energized and compete for 3 quarters but thats just a pathetic excuse for a compliment. This team needs to blown apart from the top to the bottom, keeping only the essentials. Avery looked great today. Hall needs to be cut; there has to be a skill player with better speed. Green looked no better than Bulger had but his OL played very well, as did the defense for most of the game

Should be an interested couple of weeks..

by riotmute on Sep 28, 2008 6:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this week's halftime show might be the high point of the season

hearing the talking heads in the nfl studios utter: “and the rams(!) take the lead(!?!) into the half against the bills!”

they couldn’t have been more incredulous if they had seen the victoria’s secret lingerie team rush the field against buffalo and execute, in rapid succession: a perfect statue of liberty play, a hook-and-ladder, and bobby bowden’s patented fumblerooski.

"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 Sep 28, 2008 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

THANK GOD FINALY LINEHAN IS GONE

well the first step has been taken, watch this team starting this week i bet any one they will be more lose and have much better games now, Haslett will do better with this team , the players will show him respect now that his in charge, Linehan always try to take that away from him but now his the main man , and for the time our new coach , lets all suport our team now that that canser is gone
GO RAMS

by james535 on Sep 29, 2008 8:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

All right James we will

but we expect the support for the Rams to apply to you too. No more posts about Darren McFadden or how stupid the rest of us were for supporting the pick of Chris Long. We are who we are.

by WestCoastBuc on Sep 29, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs