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Jo-Lonn Dunbar is back, and Max Starks is out
This couldn't come at a better time for many reasons. Jo-Lonn Dunbar was an integral part of the teams run defense, and provided an emotional spark on the field. Hopefully this will be enough to re-energize the Rams lackluster defense.
The release of Starks would have you believe that Rogder Saffold may be close to returning. However, Jim Thomas cautions that this may not be the case.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Releasing Starks a gamble because Rodger Saffold still a couple of games _ or more _ removed from being able to return at RT.</p>— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) <a href="https://twitter.com/jthom1/statuses/385154113366786048">October 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Get to know the Rams
Jaguars beat reporter summed up the Rams nicely in this piece. One interesting fact he points out - that should make all Rams fans shake their heads - is that the Rams are one of only two teams without a rushing touchdown.
Johnny Hekker, player of the year
All cliche jokes aside about a punter being a teams best player, Johnny Hekker has been fantastic so far this year. He's likely on his way to a Pro Bowl season. Hopefully, the Ram's offense can do something to limit his reps this week.
Rams and Jaguars similar teams?
Jeff Gordon does his best to draw lines of comparisons between the Rams and Jaguars. Unfortunately, the similarities are those that could be identified by a young child. The teams in reality are very different. While both teams have crossed paths before, the Rams and Jaguars have extremely different pasts. The Rams are a long storied franchise, in a well established market, recovering from a decade of futility. The Jaguars are still relatively new team, in a failing market, that is struggling to maintain an NFL caliber level of play at the moment. And please, don't make me tell you that Blaine Gabbert and Sam Bradford aren't even close to comparable, you're smarter than that.
Fisher to help Rams recover after slow start
If Rams fans can look towards one sliver of hope right now, it should be that Jeff Fisher has taken a team that was 0-6 at one point, and made them into an 8-8 squad. That Titans team that started 0-6 was very similar to this Rams team (minus the instability at quarterback). Can this coaching staff turn things round?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rams DC Tim Walton looked like he lost his best friend after practice today as he walked off the field alone.</p>— Tony Softli (@SoftliSTL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoftliSTL/statuses/385159589227794433">October 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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I'm not quite sure what to make of this, but at this point anything that makes Tim Walton sad probably makes many fans happy. The Ram's defense has been a train wreck under Walton, and hopefully this is a sign of Fisher forcing his hand upon the scheme.