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Random Ramsdom: October 20: St. Louis Rams - Many Tricks, And Quite The Treat

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Halloween came early for the Rams on Sunday. A couple of special teams trick plays - including a punt return misdirection and a fake punt - helped give Rams fans an unexpected treat, a 28-26 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. For those who had begun to question coach Jeff Fisher's abilities, the game against the Seahawks proved the game has not passed him by. Maybe he's not a faded anachronism after all...

By Frank "Dubs" Dobozy
/ new
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Twitter Talk

A nice shout out by Seattle head coach Pete Carroll:

I might just start believing this, especially after the Seattle game:

Well put Mr. Demoff:

I've seen a lot over the years...but never a play like this:

Congratulations, to one of the greatest players of all time:

And later in the second quarter Manning breaks the all-time record:

I'd almost forgotten what this looked like:

Patience is definitely a virtue:

NFL Trade Deadline: Should the Detroit Lions target Rams LT Jake Long?: S.I. - Fansided

With future LT Greg Robinson waiting in the wings, is it a good time to consider trading incumbent LT Jake Long?

RG3 trade has become lose-lose scenario for Redskins, Rams: Washington Post

In making the deal with Washington, the Rams chose to stockpile draft choices to build around their franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, injuries to Sam Bradford have derailed a once-promising plan.

The Curious Case Of The Missing Pass Rush: Grantland

How much do the Rams miss Chris Long? More than anyone might have imagined. Against Seattle, the Rams finally re-discovered their sackability skills, counting 3 for the contest.

Each Team Ranked By Arrests Since 2000: NFL SpinZone

"...crimes committed by NFL players are nothing new. This unfortunate phenomenon has been going on for years, decades really. It’s just that today people are, thankfully, expressing anger about it. Plus, the internet allows nothing to stay secret for long."

Draft Prospect Highlight Reel: G - A.J. Cann - South Carolina

Why The Rams' Pass Rush Has Completely Vanished: Bleacher Report

An inability to stop the run, the absence of Chris Long, and creative offensive schemes are the primary reasons for the dearth of sacks thus far in 2014, in my estimation. Notwithstanding the game against Seattle, of course.

Greg Robinson settling into starting role: ESPN NFL Nation

It took until Week 6 for Robinson to get the starting nod at LG. He's likely earned a starting role for the remainder of the season.

Givens remains odd man out in WR rotation: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Rams have remained committed to Kenny Britt and Brian Quick as their starters, with Tavon Austin in the slot. It's been a long fall for Givens, from his team-leading rookie performance to Number 5 on the depth chart.

Rams, Raiders would be Los Angeles bound - if not for the NFL: CBS Sports

Could a move to L.A. truly be in the works?

Stat Facts Of The Week: Team Turnover Differential

Team Turnover Differential Statistics
Team Takeaways Giveaways Turnover Differential
1 New England Patriots 14 5 9
2 Green Bay Packers 13 4 9
3 Arizona Cardinals 11 3 8
4 San Diego Chargers 9 2 7
5 San Francisco 49ers 11 6 5
6 Carolina Panthers 12 7 5
7 Houston Texans 14 10 4
8 Cleveland Browns 5 2 3
9 Buffalo Bills 10 7 3
10 Tennessee Titans 9 7 2
11 Baltimore Ravens 9 7 2
12 Chicago Bears 12 10 2
13 Cincinnati Bengals 8 6 2
14 Indianapolis Colts 12 11 1
15 Denver Broncos 5 4 1
16 New York Giants 12 11 1
17 Detroit Lions 9 8 1
18 Seattle Seahawks 5 4 1
19 Pittsburgh Steelers 6 7 -1
20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 12 -2
21 Dallas Cowboys 10 12 -2
22 Kansas City Chiefs 3 6 -3
23 St. Louis Rams 7 10 -3
24 Atlanta Falcons 9 12 -3
25 Miami Dolphins 8 11 -3
26 Oakland Raiders 5 10 -5
27 Minnesota Vikings 5 10 -5
28 Philadelphia Eagles 9 14 -5
29 New Orleans Saints 2 10 -8
30 Jacksonville Jaguars 4 12 -8
31 Washington Redskins 4 13 -9
32 New York Jets 3 12 -9

It's a widely held belief that winning the turnover battle is important to a teams success on the field. The Rams finished with 7 wins in 2013. The team had a positive turnover differential in 6 of those wins, and a zero differential in the other victory. Overall, the Rams finished 9'th in Turnover Differential (plus +8) last season. In 2013, the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks led the NFL in this key statistic. This season, the Rams were tied for 22'nd in the league in Team Turnover Differential (minus -3) before the game with Seattle. The Rams didn't turn the ball over in Sunday's game with the Seahawks, doubtless an important factor in the 28-26 victory.

Rams Legends: OT - Orlando Pace

Orlando Pace was an integral part of the famed GSOT. In 12 seasons with the Rams, Pace earned Pro Bowl honors 7 times, and was a 5-time All-Pro selection. Pace is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2015, and could very well become a first-ballot inductee. The following is a video tribute to one of the greatest players to ever don a Rams uniform:

What the coaches said: Pete Carroll and Jeff Fisher: Seattle Times

Official transcripts of both Pete Carroll's and Jeff Fisher's post-game press conferences.

Rams Report Card: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Jeff Gordon grades the Rams performance against the Seattle Seahawks.

NFL: No video evidence of clear fumble recovery by either team in Rams-Seahawks game: Pro Football Talk

The reference is to Tre Mason's fumble - and subsequent recovery by the Rams - in the waning moments of Sunday's game:

"The play was reviewed by NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino in NFL GameDay Central in New York.  Because there was no video evidence of a clear recovery by either St. Louis or Seattle, the call on the field of a St. Louis recovery would stand."

2015 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football

Charlie Campbell updates his three-round mock draft. The Rams select QB Connor Cook in the first round.

On This Day In Sports History

1946 - Frank Seno (Chicago Cardinals) returns a kickoff for a then-record 105 yards against the New York Giants.

1982 - The St. Louis Cardinals defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 4 games to 3 in the 79'th World Series.

Rapid Reaction: St. Louis Rams: ESPN NFL Nation

Nick Wagoner shares his first impressions of the Rams' victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Rams fake punt seals victory: St. Louis Rams Official Website

In case you missed the game, here's the fake punt by John Hekker that might have saved the win for the Rams.

The Rams' fourth-quarter fake punt was the gutsiest play call of the season: USA Today

I can't even imagine how much Jeff Fisher would get roasted this week if the fake punt failed and the Rams lost the game. As ballsy a call as one will ever witness.

Austin Davis gets it done when needed most: ESPN NFL Nation

Robert Quinn on Austin Davis:

"You can't ask for more out of a guy who went from third string to now starting quarterback and playing great ball."

The Pressers

Post-Game Locker Room Speech - Jeff Fisher: St. Louis Rams Official Website

Jeff Fisher Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website

Chris Givens Post -Game Interview: St. Louis Rams Official Website

John Hekker Post-Game Interview: St. Louis Rams Official Website

Tre Mason Post-Game Interview: St. Louis Rams Official Website

Coach Jeff Fisher Relives The Rams' 28-26 Victory Over The Seattle Seahawks: 101 ESPN

Special teams deliver Rams upset victory: ESPN NFL Nation

Benny Cunningham might have felt a little pressure catching the fake punt pass from John Hekker:

"Make the catch or I’m probably going to be done; this might be my last play in the NFL if I don’t make this catch," Cunningham said. "Either they’re going to cut me or my teammates are going to kill me."

St. Louis Rams stun slumping Seattle Seahawks: NFL.com

Dan Hanzus shares his thoughts on the game between Seattle and the Rams.

Sunday Blitz: Seahawks-Rams Recap: ESPN

Jim Basquil and Merril Hoge break down the Rams' 28-26 win over the Seahawks.

Rams hold off Seahawks 28-26: 101 Sports

Pete Carroll, commenting on the Rams' fake punt inside their own 20-yard line:

"If they don’t catch that ball, it’s ours and we kick the field goal and it’s over. A very gutsy play."

Rams pull a fast one on Seattle: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Jim Thomas recaps the game between the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.

Fox 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne talked it over with Rams head coach Jeff Fisher after his club’s win over the defending Super Bowl champs.

St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"

The Rams currently have $4,556,133 in available salary cap space, lowest in the league. The Rams structured Robert Quinn's recent contract extension to have little additional impact on the Rams' 2014 salary cap. I'll be publishing a complete breakdown of his contract - plus a complete salary cap update - within the next week.

St. Louis Rams Current Roster And Depth Chart

C Scott Wells Tim Barnes Barrett Jones
RG Rodger Saffold Davin Joseph
LG Greg Robinson
RT Joe Barksdale
LT Jake Long Mike Person
TE Lance Kendricks Cory Harkey
TE Jared Cook Alex Bayer
WR Kenny Britt Stedman Bailey
WR Brian Quick Tavon Austin Chris Givens
RB Benny Cunningham Chase Reynolds Trey Watts
RB Zac Stacy Tre Mason
QB Austin Davis Shaun Hill Case Keenum
PK Greg Zuerlein
P John Hekker
LS Jake McQuaide
DT Aaron Donald Kendall Langford
DT Michael Brockers Alex Carrington
DE William Hayes Eugene Sims
DE Robert Quinn Ethan Westbrooks
MLB James Laurinaitis
OLB Alec Ogletree Daren Bates
OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar Will Herring
CB Janoris Jenkins Brandon McGee
CB Trumaine Johnson E.J. Gaines Marcus Roberson
FS Rodney McLeod Cody Davis Lamarcus Joyner
SS T.J. McDonald Maurice Alexander
Practice Squad IR - Des. For Return Injured Reserve
QB Garrett Gilbert DE Chris Long QB Sam Bradford
OL Brandon Washington RB Isaiah Pead
OT Mike Remmers TE Mason Brodine
TE Brad Smelley OC Demetrius Rhaney
DT Matt Conrath
DE Kourtnei Brown
LB Marshall McFadden
LB Denicos Allen
CB Jemea Thomas
FS Christian Bryant

I've updated the roster to reflect the release of WR's Austin Pettis and Emory Blake late Monday afternoon. No corresponding roster move has been made to replace Pettis. DE Kourtnei Brown was re-signed to the PS to replace Blake.

Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Monday: Led Zeppelin - Since I've Been Loving You

Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!

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