Game Previews: Rams vs. Browns

[RamBill]

Early preview: Rams vs. Browns
• By Joe Lyons

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_b2ff1cdf-2c89-5bd8-a3a8-06cd1c1f8fa5.html

COMING THIS WEEK

Following a rugged early-season schedule and fresh off their bye week, the Rams (2-3) hope to get things rolling Sunday when they host the Cleveland Browns (2-4) in a noon game at the Edward Jones Dome. The Browns, who have not had a winning season since finishing 10-6 in 2007, are coming off a tough-to-swallow 26-23 overtime loss at home to the 6-0 Denver Broncos. Costly mistakes at crucial times doomed the Browns, who squandered chances to win late in regulation and again early in the extra period.

The Browns’ defense features a pair of local standouts in cornerback Pierre Desir (Francis Howell Central, Lindenwood) and linebacker Christian Kirksey (Hazelwood East, Iowa), who led the Cleveland defense Sunday with 12 and nine tackles, respectively.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Quarterback Josh McCown. A week after earning AFC Player of the Week honors for passing for a franchise-record 457 yards in a 33-30 overtime win at Baltimore, McCown struggled at key times Sunday against Denver when he completed 20 of 39 passes for 214 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including a pick six. He also lost a fumble, leading to a Denver field goal.

In his 13th NFL season, McCown entered Sunday’s action as the first Browns’ QB with three consecutive passing games and, with his big effort in Baltimore became the first in league history with at least 450 passing yards, two touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown and no interceptions in a game.

McCown is 1-4 as a Browns’ starter. He’s backed up by 2014 first-round draft pick Johnny Manziel and ex-Rams QB Austin Davis.

HE SAID IT

“Disappointing. To be on the brink of a heck of a win and to not be able to finish it, it’s a tough deal. Look in the players’ faces, you see the disappointment,’’ said Browns coach Mike Pettine following Sunday’s OT loss. “We said all week that playing a team like that, they minimize your margin for error, and we just made too many mistakes to come away with a win. ...”

“We got ourselves behind the sticks and allowed them to tee off, and we saw the result. It’s frustrating to be at home and be that close, and come up short.”

INJURIES

Rams guard Rodger Saffold, a Cleveland native, is out after being placed on injured reserve with a season-ending shoulder injury. Defensive end Chris Long (knee) is also expected to sit out, with tight end Lance Kendricks entering the week as a question mark after having bye-week surgery to repair a torn finger ligament.

The Browns were without several key players Sunday, including CB Joe Haden (concussion), S Tashaun Gipson (ankle) and linebacker Craig Robertson (ankle). RB Isaiah Crowell was active but limited with a toe injury and his backup, rookie Duke Johnson, missed some time during the game with a shoulder injury. Tight end Rob Housler left with a hamstring injury.

SERIES HISTORY

The Rams, who joined the NFL as the Cleveland Rams in 1937, are 11-11 against the Cleveland Browns. Since the move to St. Louis, the Rams have won three of the last four meetings.

 

[RamBill]

Colleen Wolfe and Ike Taylor preview the Week 7 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams.

Watch Browns at Rams Preview

 

[CGI_Ram]

I wonder how much intel Austin Davis can give about our playbook, and how much that could hurt us?

 

[SuperMan28]

I wonder how much intel Austin Davis can give about our playbook, and how much that could hurt us?

Meh, they know Gurley will run and they still won't stop him. :yess:

 

[rking4441]

Meh, they know Gurley will run and they still won't stop him. :yess:

I think Gurley will have a big day but, I hope that if the Browns are able to contain him that Foles is able to take advantage. I think this game is a great opportunity for offense to work on the play action pass. Mostly hoping for a win!

 

[DaveFan'51]

As usual, it's Tuesday night and I find myself wishing it was Sunday morning!!

 

[SuperMan28]

I think Gurley will have a big day but, I hope that if the Browns are able to contain him that Foles is able to take advantage. I think this game is a great opportunity for offense to work on the play action pass. Mostly hoping for a win!

You would surely think that'd be the case. I don't think they have a single elite pass rusher, either. It's just a good all around match up for us offensively.

But of course, I thought there was no way we could lose to WAS. I may not get over that until... I will never get over that game. I'll always remember it.

 

[Merlin]

I wonder how much intel Austin Davis can give about our playbook, and how much that could hurt us?

That blade can cut both ways. I think Cigs is smart enough, given the way he's built the Rams' offense on misdirection and multiple results from the same looks, to use that knowledge against them to get a few big plays. Sucker them in with some things you know they'll be assuming about your offense and flip the effin script.

Then crush them with some Gurley left, Gurley right, and Tavon over the top baby ahh yeeeuh.

 

[RamBill]

Prisco/Kirwan/Quinn Preview: Browns at Rams

NFL analysts Pete Prisco, Pat Kirwan and Brady Quinn break down the keys for the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams ahead of Sunday’s Week 7 showdown in St. Louis. They all pick the Rams to win.

Watch Rams-Browns Preview

 

[RamBill]

Game Notes for 10/25: Browns at Rams
Matt SegalWeb Site Coordinator

View: http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Game-Notes-for-1025-Browns-at-Rams/51920cb0-d5dd-468b-9ebb-bfe979d940ef

LINKS: FULL MEDIA RELEASE / GAMEDAY GUIDE

THE GAME
Who: Cleveland Browns (2-4) at St. Louis Rams (2-3)
When: Sunday, Oct. 25 -- Noon CT
Where: Edward Jones Dome / St. Louis, Mo.

TELEVISION
Network: CBS
In St. Louis: KMOV-4
Talent: Brian Anderson (pbp) and Adam Archuleta (analyst)

RADIO
Network: Rams Radio Network
In St. Louis: WXOS-101.1 FM
Talent: Steve Savard (pbp), D’Marco Farr (analyst) and Will Witherspoon (sidelines)

WATCH ON-LINE
NFL.com/GamePass

DIGITAL MEDIA
StLouisRams.com
Facebook.com/Rams
Instagram: @StLouisRams
Twitter: @StLouisRams, @MylesASimmons and @DaniKlup

RAMS INFORMATION
Season Schedule
Season Statistics
NFL Standings
Team Roster
Depth Chart
Coaching Staff
Injury Report
Media Guide

THE LAST GAME
Score: Green Bay Packers 24, St. Louis Rams 10
Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Location: Lambeau Field / Green Bay, Wis.
“Five Takeaways” from Myles Simmons

SERIES NOTES
Regular Season: St. Louis leads 10-9
Last Meeting: Rams 13, Browns 12 / Nov. 13, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio

DID YOU KNOW?
James Laurinaitis has started 101 consecutive games. It's the third longest active streak among NFL linebackers.

OPPONENT SNAPSHOT
Owner: Jimmy Haslam
President: Alec Scheiner
General Manager: Ray Farmer
Head Coach: Mike Pettine
Team Founded: 1946
Super Bowl Titles: None
Playoff Appearances: 28
2014 Record: 7-9
2014 Playoffs: None

FORMER BROWNS IN ST. LOUIS
Offensive Assistant Jeff Garcia played for the Browns in 2004.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Andy Dickerson spent two seasons as an assistant with the Browns.

FORMER RAMS IN CLEVELAND
QB Austin Davis played for the Rams from 2012-14.
OL John Greco played for the Rams from 2008-10.
WR Andrew Hawkins was part of the Rams offseason roster in 2011.
Running Backs Coach Wilbert Montgomery was an assistant with the Rams from 1997-05.

RAMS WITH CLEVELAND AREA TIES
G Rodger Saffold hails from the Cleveland area and starred at Bedford High School.
LB James Laurinaitis played at Ohio State.
LS Jake McQuaide played at Ohio State.
S Christian Bryant is a Cleveland native and played at Ohio State.
OL Andrew Donnal is from Monclova, Ohio.

BROWNS WITH ST. LOUIS AREA TIES
CB Pierre Desir played at Lindenwood University.
Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor was an assistant at the University of Missouri from 1997-00.

3 RECENT CLIPS
Practice Report: Back to Work (10/20)
Rams Rundown: Bye Week (10/20)
Five Takeaways: Bye Week (10/19)

 

[SuperMan28]

I wonder how much intel Austin Davis can give about our playbook, and how much that could hurt us?

I think he will have great insight on informing them of what Nick Foles should not do.

 

[RamzFanz]

I wonder how much intel Austin Davis can give about our playbook, and how much that could hurt us?

I'm going to give away the playbook right here:

Gurley to the right.
Gurley to the left.
Gurley up the middle.

Seriously, if they are smart, Rams use that knowledge against them. It looks like this but we changed it to that.

 

[RamzFanz]

That blade can cut both ways. I think Cigs is smart enough, given the way he's built the Rams' offense on misdirection and multiple results from the same looks, to use that knowledge against them to get a few big plays. Sucker them in with some things you know they'll be assuming about your offense and flip the effin script.

Then crush them with some Gurley left, Gurley right, and Tavon over the top baby ahh yeeeuh.

Man, we think alike on occasion. I should have read the thread first.

 

[RamBill]

Nick Wagoner explains why the Cleveland Browns rush defense may be a little misleading. He joined Kevin Wheeler to preview the Browns and Rams.

Listen to Wagoner Talk Rams-Browns

 

[RamBill]

Rams conscious of how Austin Davis can help Cleveland
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...scious-of-how-austin-davis-can-help-cleveland

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Given the ever-changing nature of NFL rosters, it's a simple fact of life that every week is going to feature games in which players square off against their former team.

It often leads to an easy and somewhat lazy narrative in which that former player can somehow offer untold insight into their former team for their current one. More often than not, it's mostly fallacy and whatever plays or signals that the player can discuss is limited at best. But if ever there's a time when it's something to pay attention to, it's when a quarterback changes addresses, especially one who has been with the team within the past few months.

Such is the case Sunday when the St. Louis Rams play the Cleveland Browns and signal-caller Austin Davis. Rams coach Jeff Fisher acknowledged Wednesday that his team has to at least be cognizant of what Davis might be able to offer the Browns in the form of clues on what the Rams are trying to do.

“Yeah, I mean, he’s gone against this defense for a number of years now, and he knows this offense very well," Fisher said. "So, we’re mindful of that and you have to make adjustments. But, players have to play. They have to play.”

Davis spent his first three NFL seasons with the Rams, signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi. He didn't play in 2012 or 2013 but actually spent half of the 2014 season in the starting role after injuries to veterans Sam Bradford and Shaun Hill.

After stepping into the lineup, Davis went 3-5 as the starter, throwing for 2,001 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions before being benched in favor of Hill in week 11. Despite re-signing Davis as a restricted free agent, the Rams traded Bradford for Nick Foles, dealt a future seventh-round pick to Houston for Case Keenum and drafted Sean Mannion in the third round.

Although Fisher referred to a quarterback competition throughout the offseason, it never materialized as Keenum and Mannion secured the backup and No. 3 quarterback jobs early in camp and Davis never got much of an opportunity to play in the preseason.

Just because Davis didn't play, though, didn't mean he didn't pick up on what new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti was doing. Foles said Davis was tuned into the offense before the Rams released him in the final round of cuts in September.

“Yeah, I mean that’s something you definitely have to take into account because Austin knows this offense just as well as anyone," Foles said. "Just going into the game, we’ve got to be efficient and get our calls right and audibles, make sure he doesn’t see them.”

While the Rams are quick to acknowledge that Davis brings some knowledge to the Browns, Cleveland coach Mike Pettine said too much can be made of such things.

“I think that’s a little overrated," Pettine said. "I’ve been in the league a long time and it’s rare that you get a situation where it truly helps you a significant amount. The defensive guys bounce a few questions off of him and even offensively, going against this defense in practice. Ultimately, it’s an execution league. It comes down to making plays. I think that information can help, but it’s to a very small extent.”

 

[RamBill]

Gurley not taking favorable matchup for granted
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...rley-not-taking-favorable-matchup-for-granted

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Despite what the numbers say about the Cleveland Browns' inability to stop the run so far this season, the St. Louis Rams and dynamic rookie running back Todd Gurley are taking nothing for granted as they head toward Sunday's matchup.

"Yeah, those things sound good but the end of the day when Sunday hits and we get on the field, it’s all about executing and not letting that man across from you beat you," Gurley said. "Those guys could come Sunday and play like the No. 1 defense. I never really look at the rankings."

That's probably a good thing, because if Gurley did pore over this week's stats, he might find himself salivating over the opportunity ahead.

On paper, there's no denying that Gurley appears headed for a big game, bigger even than his past two outings in which he's rushed for an average of 152.5 yards. Cleveland's defense enters the game allowing 149.8 yards per game on the ground, last in the NFL. It's a group that's also yielding 5 yards per carry, which ranks 31st in the league.

So the easy conclusion to draw would be that Gurley should be able to shred Cleveland's defense and pile up big numbers, right? Well, according to Rams coach Jeff Fisher, the film doesn't show a run defense that's consistently giving up chunks of yards so much as one that will play the run well for long periods of time before getting burned by a longer run.

"They’ll be good 19 times out of 20," Fisher said. "Then, the last, the twentieth attempt will go for 40 (yards). So, that’s how it’s gone against them. So, I mean, I think that’s deceiving."

The statistics show there is something to what Fisher is saying. In six games, the Browns have allowed a whopping 23 runs of 10 yards or more (tied for second most in the NFL) and eight carries of 20 or more yards (also tied for second most in the league) for an average of 31.75 yards per carry. All of that for a team that has been run on a league-high 181 times.

In other words, the Browns give up a carry of 20 or more yards roughly once every 22 attempts and a rush for 10 or more yards once every eight tries. Take away the 20-plus yard carries and Cleveland is giving up 3.7 yards per attempt on the ground.

"They’re a talented defense," quarterback Nick Foles said. "It’s a ranking. Any given Sunday you never know what you’re going to get. Those guys fly around and they do a really good job. We know that they’re going to come in here ready to go. They had a tough loss against Denver last week, so I know they feel good about the team they have and that they’ve had a couple close losses. That’s a ranking to me. They’re going to be ready to go."

Though it is just a ranking, Gurley's early tendency has been to earn a big chunk of his rushing yards on exactly the types of big runs that Cleveland has been prone to allow. He has five runs of 20 or more yards so far this season, which ties him for second-most in the NFL. Those have gone for a total of 180 yards, the highest total in the league on such runs.

From the Rams' perspective, though they would love to see those explosive runs continue, they would also like to find traction on the ground earlier in games. In his three outings, Gurley is averaging 2.2 yards per carry in the first quarter and 3.3 in the second before having a big second half. Cleveland has actually been at its best stopping the run in the first quarter and struggled the most in the second and third.

"Well, you’d like to think as you game-plan, there are things that could give you an advantage," offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti said. "But, once again, this is the National Football League. Every Sunday is a challenge. They’re an excellent defense. We’re going to prepare. We’re going to come out here and have great practices, give ourselves a chance to be successful."

Another thing working to the Rams' advantage is Cleveland's base 3-4 defense. St. Louis has seen a steady diet of odd-man fronts in Pittsburgh, Arizona and Green Bay over its past three games. In those games, Gurley didn't see a lot of eight-man boxes designed to stop the run, but now that he's had some success he should expect to see more of it moving forward, especially until the passing game proves it can take advantage.

Which is why it might also be worth keeping an eye on Gurley in the passing game this week. Gurley is a regular on the JUGS machine, and though his matchup on the ground looks favorable, the numbers quietly favor him through the air as well.

Cleveland is allowing 11.23 yards per catch to running backs, which ranks second-to-last in the NFL. Gurley hasn't yet had much of a chance to show off his receiving skills (three catches for 20 yards) but this game could offer a first real look at his versatility.

"That’s why I’m out there every day (catching passes after practice)," Gurley said. "When the time comes, the time comes."

The time could be Sunday.

 

[RamBill]

Quarterback Nick Foles met with the media following Wednesday’s practice at Rams Park.

Watch Foles Presser

 

[Orchid]

Browns-Rams Preview from Cleveland.com

According to STATS

1. The Browns are coming off a 26-23 overtime loss against the Broncos in Cleveland last week. Since the beginning of last season, Cleveland has played in nine games decided by three or fewer points, the most of any team in the NFL.
2. The Rams are coming off a bye in Week 6. St. Louis is 1-4-1 in games following its bye week dating back to the 2009 season.
3. The Rams lead the all-time series, 10-9. The Rams won the last meeting between the teams, 13-12, at Cleveland in Week 10 of the 2011 season.
4. Josh McCown has thrown for 1367 yards over the last four weeks, the second most in the NFL over that span (Philip Rivers - 1472). Seven of McCown's eight touchdown passes this season have come after halftime.
5. Todd Gurley has rushed for 305 yards over his last two games, gaining at least 140 yards in each contest. The only Rams players in franchise history who've rushed for 140 or more yards in three straight games are Eric Dickerson (two separate streaks; 1983 and 1984) and Marshall Faulk (2002).
6. Gary Barnidge is the second Browns tight end with a touchdown catch in four consecutive team games (also Ozzie Newsome from September 20 -- October 11, 1981). Barnidge is also the second Browns tight end to have five TD catches through the team's first six games of a season (also Jordan Cameron in 2013).

Team Comparison

Cleveland

St. Louis
23.5 Points 16.8
295.0 Pass Yds 195.2
91.8 Rush Yds 113.8
8 Takeaways 9


(AP) -- Todd Gurley figures to be primed for his first home start after two spectacular efforts on the road preceded the St. Louis Rams' bye week.

He may be licking his chops to face a Cleveland Browns defense that is the NFL's worst in stopping the run.

The Rams, who have the league's worst offense, figure to use a run-heavy game plan with Gurley when they host the Browns on Sunday.

Gurley, the first running back chosen in the first round in three years and No. 10 overall selection in 2015, missed the first two games following knee surgery. He gained nine yards on six carries in his debut in a 12-6 home defeat to Pittsburgh on Sept. 27 before starting the next two games and totaling 305 yards on 49 carries, though he has yet to find the end zone.

The rookie is bidding to become the third Rams running back to top 140 yards rushing in three straight games. Eric Dickerson did it in 1983 and 1984 and Marshall Faulk in 2002.

"It's definitely coming along pretty well," Gurley said. "Like I said, just the repetition, getting the reps, getting used to it, watching film, seeing how other teams are going to play the outside zone."

Coach Jeff Fisher said Gurley is still not at 100 percent. Gurley has two rushes of at least 50 yards while the rest of the league has combined for six.

He represents a big challenge for a Cleveland defense allowing a league-worst 149.8 rushing yards per game. The Browns gave up 152 yards on the ground in last Sunday's 26-23 overtime home loss to Denver.

"You have to want to (stop the run)," coach Mike Pettine said. "I am not saying that has been missing, but in this game, for sure, if we don't go out there wanting to stop the run and wanting to play that street fight with them up front because that is what they are built to do and what they are going to do, then we will get embarrassed defending the run."

The run defense is a major reason why Cleveland (2-4) is ranked 30th in total defense, yielding 417.8 yards per game. Fisher called that statistic "misleading."

"You put the tape on them, watch four games, they don't look like the 30th-ranked team on defense," he said.

St. Louis (2-3) knows it needs to find offense from someone other than Gurley. The Rams average a league-worst 309.0 yards per game, with their passing attack ranked second-worst at 183.2. Nick Foles has the league's 29th-best passer rating at 77.6.

Kenny Britt has a team-high 183 receiving yards but has gone three straight games without a touchdown. Tavon Austin has a team-best 16 receptions but had two for six yards in a 24-10 loss to Green Bay on Oct. 11 before the bye.

"We just gotta continue to get better with our run game because that will eventually help us in the passing game," Fisher said.

It's been four years since these teams last met, a 13-12 Rams victory, but it's the third straight year that Cleveland's Josh McCown will face St. Louis.

McCown threw for 352 yards and two scores in a 42-21 loss with Chicago in 2013. Last season, he amassed 179 yards in a 19-17 defeat for Tampa Bay. His completion percentage was 76.6 both times.

"I just appreciate them being on the schedule so at least I have something familiar," McCown said. "It's the third year in a row and looking forward to it. They're a good defense."

The Rams are tied for third in the league with 19 sacks, with Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald combining for 7 1/2. Each has one sack of McCown.

McCown will be targeting Gary Barnidge, who is the second Browns tight end with a touchdown catch in four consecutive games after scoring twice last weekend. Ozzie Newsome did it in 1981.

Travis Benjamin had career highs of nine receptions and 117 yards against the Broncos, though he has gone three straight games without a touchdown after scoring five times in the first three.

Cleveland's secondary could again be depleted if Joe Haden misses his second straight game with a concussion and safety Tashaun Gipson misses a third straight with an ankle injury.

Quinn and fellow defensive end Chris Long did not practice Wednesday, with Long unlikely to play.

These teams have the longest active streaks of losing seasons - eight for the Rams and seven for the Browns.

 

[RamBill]

Browns OG John Greco Talks About His Time With the Rams

Cleveland OG John Greco talks about his time with the Rams and playing next to two of the NFL’s best lineman

Listen to Greco Interview