Rams News Recap: Sept. 18

[RamBill]

Rams Need to Step Up Running Game –PD
There was improvement in the Rams’ running game from Week 1 to Week 2. The Rams gained nearly 50 more yards on the ground against Tampa Bay than in the opener against Minnesota, and averaged nearly a yard more per carry.

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher: “Guys are going to have to make plays” –Video

Practice Report: QB Hill Does More, But Still Limited –PD
Quarterback Shaun Hill did a little more in practice Thursday, including some 7-on-7 work, but was still listed as limited on the Rams’ official injury report.

Hill Still Limited, Wells Returns Thursday –Wagoner
After an early evening Thursday practice, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher made it clear that a decision on the starting quarterback will again be made before Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Ugly Loss to Cowboys Lingers for Rams –Wagoner
St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher has a 24-hour rule for his team, a rule in which his players are supposed to take one day to either stew over their latest loss or celebrate a victory.

Fisher, Schottenheimer, & Fassel Press Conference Transcripts: Sept. 18

Isacc Bruce on How He Knows Quick is Showing He Has “It” –Radio Interview

Daryl Johnston Previews the Rams vs Cowboys –Radio Interview

Breaking Down Robert Quinn’s Lucrative, but Basic Contract –PD
There is nothing fancy about Robert Quinn’s $65.6 million contract extension. No escalator clauses. No incentives. Just a bunch of numbers lined up after dollar signs.

Hill Says He’s Feeling Better Every Day –Wagoner
Per the St. Louis Rams’ policy, quarterback Shaun Hill hasn’t been available to speak to the media since after the regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Fisher Unhappy McDonald Was Overlooked –Wagoner
On Wednesday afternoon, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher was asked an innocent question about safety T.J. McDonald’s ability to block kicks on special teams.

Morning Ram-blings: Free Spending –Wagoner
NFL senior writer John Clayton began his weekly mailbag this week with an interesting lede that isn’t directly related to the St. Louis Rams but tangentially applies to every team in the league.

Rams LB James Laurinaitis Mic’d Up for the Bucs: Part 2 –Video

Rams QB Austin Davis: “I get more comfortable with every rep” –Video

How Many Snaps Will Stedman Bailey Get This Week? –Wagoner Radio Interview

Prisco & Kirwan’s Cowboys at Rams Preview –Video

Jim Thomas: Can Rams Stop DeMarco Murray? –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Week 3 predictions
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/11880/morning-ram-blings-week-3-predictions

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Continuing our new Friday tradition, it's time to take a look at some predictions from around the web on the St. Louis Rams Week 3 meeting with the Dallas Cowboys.

We'll begin as we usually do with the picks from right here on ESPN.com and we lead off with ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando.

Sando takes his usual deeper look at this one with the help of NumberFire.

The NFL Live Crew, featuring Brian Dawkins and Herm Edwards make their picks, with a split vote.

CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco doesn't see a good outcome for the Rams in this one.

NFL.com thinks it'll be close but ultimately go to the Cowboys.

My own prediction will go up later today. It probably won't make Rams fans happy but when you consider that I've been off in each of the first two weeks, maybe you'll change your mind.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Thursday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we began the day with a look at early returns on free-agent spending and why the Rams look to have been wise to avoid wading into this year's crop with big money. ... Cowboys reporter Todd Archer and I previewed Sunday's game. ... Next, we looked at Rams coach Jeff Fisher's mild discontent that safety T.J. McDonald didn't receive Special Teams Player of the Week honors. ... Quarterback Shaun Hill is making progress from his thigh injury but his status for this week remains uncertain. ... The Rams' 2013 loss to Dallas was not pretty and they haven't forgotten about it. ... Finally, we closed the day with the usual injury update.

Elsewhere:

Will try to add this on Friday each week but here's fantasy expert Matthew Berry's weekly love/hate picks for this week.

Great read on Seattle's Richard Sherman from Sando on ESPN Insider.

At 101sports.com, D'Marco Farr writes that Austin Davis could change how he's viewed with another good outing.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas examines receiver Stedman Bailey's return to the Rams.

Thomas provided some leftover thoughts on last week's Rams-Buccaneers game.