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Rams-49ers: Matchup breakdown
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/13205/rams-49ers-matchup-breakdown-3
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A look at three individual matchups to keep an eye on when the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers meet at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Rams defensive end Robert Quinn vs. 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley
Quinn has dominated plenty of left tackles in his time in the league, but if you ask him who his most difficult matchup is he's usually quick to point to Staley. That's no surprise considering how well Staley has normally fared against Quinn.
The Rams have now played San Francisco seven times since Quinn entered the league in 2011 and in those meetings, Quinn has played 296 snaps. He has two and a half sacks in those chances, including one in last year's loss in San Francisco. Staley has had some bumps and bruises along the way this season but is still considered one of the best in the league.
After a slow start, Quinn has gotten it rolling a bit with three sacks in the past two weeks. But the Rams need even more from him this week if they are to pull off the upset.
Rams left tackle Greg Robinson vs. 49ers linebacker Dan Skuta
Robinson is making his first start at left tackle after spending the past three games at left guard. He's played all of 21 NFL snaps at that position, all of those coming last week against the Chiefs. The good news for Robinson is that he'll almost certainly get to avoid playing Aldon Smith. The bad news is that Robinson will be facing Skuta.
That isn't to say Skuta is on Smith's level. But based on his performances against the Rams, Skuta creates plenty of problems on his own. In the first meeting earlier this season, Skuta posted three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. For perspective, Skuta had a half sack before that since entering the league in 2009.
There's little doubt that Robinson will have his growing pains as he adjusts to pass protecting in the NFL, but the Rams need him to be as consistent as possible considering the potential for musical chairs caused by injury at other spots on the line.
Rams receiver/running back Tavon Austin vs. 49ers defense
It's hard to really peg an individual matchup for Austin so we're going to cheat a bit to simply get him a mention here. Look, Austin's production in his second season has been disappointing at best. The Rams don't even seem sure what to do with him, as he's had almost as many carries as a running back (15) as receiving targets (16). The few touches he's had have resulted in a whopping 311 yards from scrimmage. That's not exactly what you want from last year's No. 8 overall pick.
Austin's importance to the offense takes on greater meaning this week with receiver Brian Quick now lost for the season. Jeff Fisher has said Stedman Bailey and Chris Givens will pick up much of the slack left behind by Quick, but this would be an ideal time to get Austin more involved. It doesn't matter how they do it, whether in the backfield, the slot, split out wide, whatever ... the Rams need to get something out of Austin now more than ever.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/13205/rams-49ers-matchup-breakdown-3
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- A look at three individual matchups to keep an eye on when the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers meet at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Rams defensive end Robert Quinn vs. 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley
Quinn has dominated plenty of left tackles in his time in the league, but if you ask him who his most difficult matchup is he's usually quick to point to Staley. That's no surprise considering how well Staley has normally fared against Quinn.
The Rams have now played San Francisco seven times since Quinn entered the league in 2011 and in those meetings, Quinn has played 296 snaps. He has two and a half sacks in those chances, including one in last year's loss in San Francisco. Staley has had some bumps and bruises along the way this season but is still considered one of the best in the league.
After a slow start, Quinn has gotten it rolling a bit with three sacks in the past two weeks. But the Rams need even more from him this week if they are to pull off the upset.
Rams left tackle Greg Robinson vs. 49ers linebacker Dan Skuta
Robinson is making his first start at left tackle after spending the past three games at left guard. He's played all of 21 NFL snaps at that position, all of those coming last week against the Chiefs. The good news for Robinson is that he'll almost certainly get to avoid playing Aldon Smith. The bad news is that Robinson will be facing Skuta.
That isn't to say Skuta is on Smith's level. But based on his performances against the Rams, Skuta creates plenty of problems on his own. In the first meeting earlier this season, Skuta posted three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. For perspective, Skuta had a half sack before that since entering the league in 2009.
There's little doubt that Robinson will have his growing pains as he adjusts to pass protecting in the NFL, but the Rams need him to be as consistent as possible considering the potential for musical chairs caused by injury at other spots on the line.
Rams receiver/running back Tavon Austin vs. 49ers defense
It's hard to really peg an individual matchup for Austin so we're going to cheat a bit to simply get him a mention here. Look, Austin's production in his second season has been disappointing at best. The Rams don't even seem sure what to do with him, as he's had almost as many carries as a running back (15) as receiving targets (16). The few touches he's had have resulted in a whopping 311 yards from scrimmage. That's not exactly what you want from last year's No. 8 overall pick.
Austin's importance to the offense takes on greater meaning this week with receiver Brian Quick now lost for the season. Jeff Fisher has said Stedman Bailey and Chris Givens will pick up much of the slack left behind by Quick, but this would be an ideal time to get Austin more involved. It doesn't matter how they do it, whether in the backfield, the slot, split out wide, whatever ... the Rams need to get something out of Austin now more than ever.
