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7 things to watch: Rams vs. Broncos
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_28ca6f37-f6df-5813-8ffd-aaf286cd647f.html
HILL RETURNS
After eight games and more than two months on the bench, Shaun Hill resurfaces as the Rams’ starting QB. His timing could’ve been better considering he’ll be trying to match throws with the great Peyton Manning. Not to mention, he’ll be facing the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense. But when it comes down to it, his timing with Rams receivers will be what matters most. There will be an adjustment process, be it the way the ball comes out of Hill’s hand — as a opposed to Austin Davis — or even his cadence at the line of scrimmage. “Shaun has a different touch on the ball,” TE Lance Kendricks said. “But it still gets there the same. He’s a vet quarterback, so he’s been there before. There’s nothing wrong with having that veteran leadership in the huddle. The plays are still the same. We like Shaun. Everyone loves him here. No issues there.”
LAST DANCE IN ST. LOUIS?
Even if the Rams don’t relocate to Los Angeles, this likely will be Manning’s last appearance in the Gateway City. Under the NFL scheduling formula, the Broncos won’t play here again until 2022. He would be 46 by then. So unless he changes clubs, say farewell Sunday to one of the all-time greats. Manning has played here only twice before — both times with Indianapolis. In 2001, the Colts lost 42-17; in 2009, the Colts turned the tables with a 42-6 win.
MILLER & WARE
The Rams faced an elite pass-rushing tandem three weeks ago in KC’s Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. No disrespect intended, but Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer likes the Denver duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. “Since we don’t play Kansas City again this year, I’ll say Denver’s clearly better,” Schottenheimer said. Ware and Miller have 17 sacks between them this season. Miller moves around some, but will play mainly over RT Joe Barksdale.
RUSH HOUR
Tre Mason clearly has moved into feature back status in the Rams’ backfield, but the going will be tough against Denver’s run defense. The Broncos allow only 67 yards rushing per game and only 3.2 yards per carry — both league bests. The man-mountain with one of the NFL’s best nicknames, DT Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton, clogs the middle. The Broncos have allowed only 11 runs of 10 yards or more all season — yes, another league best.
RUSH HOUR II
The Broncos will be missing their leading rusher against the Rams; Ronnie Hillman has been ruled out with a foot injury. So C.J. Anderson, who had 163 yards rushing and receiving last week in Oakland, is expected to get the start. Montee Ball (Timberland High), who began the year as the starter, is set to return after missing the last five games with a groin injury. So the Broncos shouldn’t miss a beat without Hillman in the lineup.
LOTS OF RECEIVERS
With Marcus Roberson (ankle) ruled out and Lamarcus Joyner (groin) doubtful, the Rams are paper thin at corner. So this isn’t the best time to see Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker come to town. Thomas has a current streak of six consecutive 100-yard receiving games — a franchise record. Sanders already has set a career high for single-season receiving yards (852). Welker has 867 career catches, most for an undrafted player in NFL history.
THE “OTHER” THOMAS
If only the Rams just had to worry about the Denver wideouts. At tight end, Julius Thomas has been a scoring machine, with 12 TD catches in nine games. He’s the first TE in NFL history with at least 12 TDs in back-to-back seasons, proving his breakout year of 2013 was no fluke. At 6-5 and 250 pounds, Thomas literally is a huge challenge for Rams safeties and linebackers in coverage. The only saving grace would be if Thomas gets called upon to stay in more as a blocker.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_28ca6f37-f6df-5813-8ffd-aaf286cd647f.html
HILL RETURNS
After eight games and more than two months on the bench, Shaun Hill resurfaces as the Rams’ starting QB. His timing could’ve been better considering he’ll be trying to match throws with the great Peyton Manning. Not to mention, he’ll be facing the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense. But when it comes down to it, his timing with Rams receivers will be what matters most. There will be an adjustment process, be it the way the ball comes out of Hill’s hand — as a opposed to Austin Davis — or even his cadence at the line of scrimmage. “Shaun has a different touch on the ball,” TE Lance Kendricks said. “But it still gets there the same. He’s a vet quarterback, so he’s been there before. There’s nothing wrong with having that veteran leadership in the huddle. The plays are still the same. We like Shaun. Everyone loves him here. No issues there.”
LAST DANCE IN ST. LOUIS?
Even if the Rams don’t relocate to Los Angeles, this likely will be Manning’s last appearance in the Gateway City. Under the NFL scheduling formula, the Broncos won’t play here again until 2022. He would be 46 by then. So unless he changes clubs, say farewell Sunday to one of the all-time greats. Manning has played here only twice before — both times with Indianapolis. In 2001, the Colts lost 42-17; in 2009, the Colts turned the tables with a 42-6 win.
MILLER & WARE
The Rams faced an elite pass-rushing tandem three weeks ago in KC’s Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. No disrespect intended, but Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer likes the Denver duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. “Since we don’t play Kansas City again this year, I’ll say Denver’s clearly better,” Schottenheimer said. Ware and Miller have 17 sacks between them this season. Miller moves around some, but will play mainly over RT Joe Barksdale.
RUSH HOUR
Tre Mason clearly has moved into feature back status in the Rams’ backfield, but the going will be tough against Denver’s run defense. The Broncos allow only 67 yards rushing per game and only 3.2 yards per carry — both league bests. The man-mountain with one of the NFL’s best nicknames, DT Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton, clogs the middle. The Broncos have allowed only 11 runs of 10 yards or more all season — yes, another league best.
RUSH HOUR II
The Broncos will be missing their leading rusher against the Rams; Ronnie Hillman has been ruled out with a foot injury. So C.J. Anderson, who had 163 yards rushing and receiving last week in Oakland, is expected to get the start. Montee Ball (Timberland High), who began the year as the starter, is set to return after missing the last five games with a groin injury. So the Broncos shouldn’t miss a beat without Hillman in the lineup.
LOTS OF RECEIVERS
With Marcus Roberson (ankle) ruled out and Lamarcus Joyner (groin) doubtful, the Rams are paper thin at corner. So this isn’t the best time to see Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker come to town. Thomas has a current streak of six consecutive 100-yard receiving games — a franchise record. Sanders already has set a career high for single-season receiving yards (852). Welker has 867 career catches, most for an undrafted player in NFL history.
THE “OTHER” THOMAS
If only the Rams just had to worry about the Denver wideouts. At tight end, Julius Thomas has been a scoring machine, with 12 TD catches in nine games. He’s the first TE in NFL history with at least 12 TDs in back-to-back seasons, proving his breakout year of 2013 was no fluke. At 6-5 and 250 pounds, Thomas literally is a huge challenge for Rams safeties and linebackers in coverage. The only saving grace would be if Thomas gets called upon to stay in more as a blocker.