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7 things to watch: Rams at Redskins
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_0d64d0f9-5f48-5d2b-8674-864258d0fc35.html
COLT IS IN CHARGE IN WASHINGTON
After washing out in Cleveland, then holding a clipboard for a year in San Francisco, Colt McCoy has another chance to show he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Sunday marks his third start this season for Washington, and the second since Robert Griffin III was benched by coach Jay Gruden. McCoy has good mobility and pretty good accuracy. He doesn’t have the greatest arm strength. There are times when he gets the ball out quickly, but also times when he waits too long reading the field and gets pulled down by the pass rush. It’s a common mistake for young quarterbacks. McCoy was sacked six times last week against the Colts, one of which resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Indy and returned for a touchdown. “He’s done a pretty good job,” Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. “I see a lot of progress in his game since the last time I’ve gone against him a few years ago when he was in Cleveland.”
IN THE BACKFIELD
He hasn’t come close to matching his franchise record 1,613 rushing yards as a rookie in 2012, but Alfred Morris is on course for a third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing year. He’s among NFL leaders in rushing yards (893) and rushing TDs (seven). At 5 feet 10, 224 pounds, Morris has excellent lower-body strength. “He’s got our attention on how he’s able to press the hole,” Williams said. “He’s been a great one-cut runner. He’s more explosive than people give him credit for.”
HELU, TOO
The one thing Morris doesn’t do is catch many passes. Those chores usually fall to former University of Nebraska star Roy Helu Jr. The Rams haven’t always been attentive to running backs leaking out of the backfield to catch passes; doing the same against Washington would be a big mistake. The speedy Helu is third among NFL running backs in reception yards (436), and leads all NFL pass-catchers — be they backs, wideouts, or tight ends — in yards after the catch (12.7).
THE RECEIVERS
The Rams will catch a break if DeSean Jackson (shin) can’t play. He’s listed as questionable, which might be an optimistic assessment because he didn’t practice all week. If he’s out there, Jackson has big-play potential as evidenced by his career average of 17.5 yards per catch. Don’t sleep on Pierre Garcon, who has more catches (162) since the start of last season than anyone in the NFC. Jordan Reed is an emerging tight end who had nine catches for 123 yards last week.
SHORTHANDED SECONDARY
Washington has been without veteran cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Tracy Porter for most of the season. Both are on IR. And it looks as if starting strong safety Brandon Meriweather and backup cornerback E.J. Biggers will be out because of injuries Sunday. CB Chase Minnifield (concussion), who started last week, already has been ruled out. After giving up four TD passes of 30-plus yards, including two of 70-plus yards against Indy, the secondary appears very vulnerable.
KERRIGAN and QUINN
The 2011 draft was a banner year for pass rushers, featuring Von Miller, Aldon Smith, J.J. Watt, the Rams’ Robert Quinn and Washington’s Ryan Kerrigan. Washington traded down, from No. 10 overall to No. 16, to take Kerrigan and in essence pass on Quinn, who went at No. 14. Kerrigan has a career-high 9½ sacks this season and has 34 in his career. After a slow start this season, Quinn has been on fire lately. He’s credited with nine sacks in 2014 and has 43½ in his career.
TURNOVER BATTLE
The winning formula for the Rams isn’t all that complicated in 2014. They are 3-0 in games where they don’t commit a turnover. Washington had three takeaways last week but still lost to the Colts 49-27, and has been anything but a turnover machine this season — with 15. Only five teams in the NFL have fewer. The Rams, meanwhile, are coming off a season-high five takeaways registered in last week’s 52-0 route of Oakland and have 21 takeaways this season.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_0d64d0f9-5f48-5d2b-8674-864258d0fc35.html
COLT IS IN CHARGE IN WASHINGTON
After washing out in Cleveland, then holding a clipboard for a year in San Francisco, Colt McCoy has another chance to show he can be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Sunday marks his third start this season for Washington, and the second since Robert Griffin III was benched by coach Jay Gruden. McCoy has good mobility and pretty good accuracy. He doesn’t have the greatest arm strength. There are times when he gets the ball out quickly, but also times when he waits too long reading the field and gets pulled down by the pass rush. It’s a common mistake for young quarterbacks. McCoy was sacked six times last week against the Colts, one of which resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Indy and returned for a touchdown. “He’s done a pretty good job,” Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said. “I see a lot of progress in his game since the last time I’ve gone against him a few years ago when he was in Cleveland.”
IN THE BACKFIELD
He hasn’t come close to matching his franchise record 1,613 rushing yards as a rookie in 2012, but Alfred Morris is on course for a third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing year. He’s among NFL leaders in rushing yards (893) and rushing TDs (seven). At 5 feet 10, 224 pounds, Morris has excellent lower-body strength. “He’s got our attention on how he’s able to press the hole,” Williams said. “He’s been a great one-cut runner. He’s more explosive than people give him credit for.”
HELU, TOO
The one thing Morris doesn’t do is catch many passes. Those chores usually fall to former University of Nebraska star Roy Helu Jr. The Rams haven’t always been attentive to running backs leaking out of the backfield to catch passes; doing the same against Washington would be a big mistake. The speedy Helu is third among NFL running backs in reception yards (436), and leads all NFL pass-catchers — be they backs, wideouts, or tight ends — in yards after the catch (12.7).
THE RECEIVERS
The Rams will catch a break if DeSean Jackson (shin) can’t play. He’s listed as questionable, which might be an optimistic assessment because he didn’t practice all week. If he’s out there, Jackson has big-play potential as evidenced by his career average of 17.5 yards per catch. Don’t sleep on Pierre Garcon, who has more catches (162) since the start of last season than anyone in the NFC. Jordan Reed is an emerging tight end who had nine catches for 123 yards last week.
SHORTHANDED SECONDARY
Washington has been without veteran cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Tracy Porter for most of the season. Both are on IR. And it looks as if starting strong safety Brandon Meriweather and backup cornerback E.J. Biggers will be out because of injuries Sunday. CB Chase Minnifield (concussion), who started last week, already has been ruled out. After giving up four TD passes of 30-plus yards, including two of 70-plus yards against Indy, the secondary appears very vulnerable.
KERRIGAN and QUINN
The 2011 draft was a banner year for pass rushers, featuring Von Miller, Aldon Smith, J.J. Watt, the Rams’ Robert Quinn and Washington’s Ryan Kerrigan. Washington traded down, from No. 10 overall to No. 16, to take Kerrigan and in essence pass on Quinn, who went at No. 14. Kerrigan has a career-high 9½ sacks this season and has 34 in his career. After a slow start this season, Quinn has been on fire lately. He’s credited with nine sacks in 2014 and has 43½ in his career.
TURNOVER BATTLE
The winning formula for the Rams isn’t all that complicated in 2014. They are 3-0 in games where they don’t commit a turnover. Washington had three takeaways last week but still lost to the Colts 49-27, and has been anything but a turnover machine this season — with 15. Only five teams in the NFL have fewer. The Rams, meanwhile, are coming off a season-high five takeaways registered in last week’s 52-0 route of Oakland and have 21 takeaways this season.
