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Rams notes: After three on the road, team welcomes return to the Dome
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_cfa43347-546c-5b0e-9f56-05688893bf3c.html
After three eventful weeks on the road, the Rams return to the Edward Jones Dome to take on the Denver Broncos in their Salute to Service game at noon Sunday.
“This young team has learned how to travel, but you can’t beat playing at home,’’ Rams coach Jeff Fisher said.
In recent weeks, the Rams fell 34-7 to the Chiefs in Kansas City, pulled out a 13-10 road victory over San Francisco and dropped a 31-14 decision in Arizona to the Cardinals. Next up is last year’s Super Bowl runner-up, Denver, which is 7-2 and led by five-time league MVP Peyton Manning.
“People referred to (our schedule) as the gauntlet,’’ said Fisher, who has decided to go with veteran Shaun Hill at quarterback Sunday. “You know every week’s a challenge (and) this week’s obviously one of the biggest of the year from a matchup standpoint for us.’’
When asked about Manning’s special qualities, Fisher mentioned the veteran quarterback’s “tremendous respect for everyone associated with the game.’’
Fisher continued: “When Sam (Bradford) went down, I got a text from Peyton, making sure that I told Sam he was thinking about him, wished him luck. That’s the kind of person he is.’’
While the Rams (3-6) return home, Sunday will mark the third straight road game for the Broncos, who lost 43-21 at New England on Nov. 2 before rallying to blow out the Raiders 41-17 last Sunday.
“I think playing on the road is always taxing,’’ Denver coach John Fox said. “It’s eight (home) and eight (road); we know that much and how they clump them is up to the schedule makers. We were aware of it and it’ll be another challenge (Sunday).’’
INJURY REPORT
Cornerback Marcus Roberson, who suffered an ankle injury in the Rams’ road victory over San Francisco two weeks ago, has been ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Others sitting out Friday’s workout were linebacker Daren Bates (groin), defensive back Lamarcus Joyner (groin), wide receiver Damian Williams (hamstring) and defensive tackle Alex Carrington (quadriceps). Carrington is listed as questionable for Sunday while the rest are doubtful. Linebacker Will Herring (foot) was limited in practice Friday and is probable.
Also listed probable are starting middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (foot) and starting defensive end William Hayes (fibula). Both were full participants in Friday’s workout.
With starting running back Ronnie Hillman out with a foot injury, the Broncos’ Montee Ball could see some action Sunday in front of the hometown fans. Ball, who starred at Timberland High in Wentzville, has missed the last five games with a groin injury but has practiced this week and is listed as probable.
Hillman leads the Broncos with 378 rushing yards and has scored four touchdowns. Last week, second-year back C.J. Anderson enjoyed a career day when he rushed for 90 yards and added 73 receiving yards. It was his thrilling 51-yard catch and run for a touchdown just before halftime that helped the Broncos erase a 10-6 deficit and go on to a rout of the Raiders.
Ball, Denver’s second-round draft pick in 2013, ran for 559 yards with four touchdowns as a rookie. This season, he started three of the first four games, rushing for 172 yards and a touchdown with nine receptions for 62 yards.
Tight end Virgil Green (knee) did not practice and is doubtful for Sunday. The rest of the players on the Denver injury report — tackle Ryan Clady (groin), tackle Paul Cornick (shoulder), guard Orlando Franklin (knee), safety Quinton Carter (knee), linebacker Steven Johnson (ankle) and running back Juwan Thompson (knee) — practiced Friday and are probable.
BIG FINE FOR KENDRICKS
In the third quarter of last Sunday’s loss in Arizona, Rams tight end Lance Kendricks was called for an illegal blindside block on Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson that helped Jared Cook take an Austin Davis pass 41 yards to the Arizona 4-yard line.
The 15-yard call pushed the ball back to the Arizona 35. The Rams, who led 14-10 at the time, were unable to add any points as the Cardinals rallied with 21 fourth-quarter points for the win.
On Friday, the NFL hit Kendricks with a fine of $22,050, the minimum amount for an illegal blindside hit. The fine is a reflection of the NFL’s emphasis on player safety.
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams have nominated Fisher for the fourth annual Salute to Service award presented by USAA, the NFL’s official Military Appreciation Sponsor. The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors award show the night before the Super Bowl. Last year’s winner was Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh.
• Hall of Fame defensive back Aeneas Williams will receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence on Sunday in Arizona when the Cardinals take on the Detroit Lions. Williams was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 1991 draft but played the final four seasons of his standout career with the Rams.
• After Friday’s practice, Fisher confirmed that defensive end Chris Long would not be activated. Long suffered an ankle injury that required surgery in the season opener and has been on the injured reserve/designated to return list.
“He’s only practiced two days,’’ the coach said.
Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_cfa43347-546c-5b0e-9f56-05688893bf3c.html
After three eventful weeks on the road, the Rams return to the Edward Jones Dome to take on the Denver Broncos in their Salute to Service game at noon Sunday.
“This young team has learned how to travel, but you can’t beat playing at home,’’ Rams coach Jeff Fisher said.
In recent weeks, the Rams fell 34-7 to the Chiefs in Kansas City, pulled out a 13-10 road victory over San Francisco and dropped a 31-14 decision in Arizona to the Cardinals. Next up is last year’s Super Bowl runner-up, Denver, which is 7-2 and led by five-time league MVP Peyton Manning.
“People referred to (our schedule) as the gauntlet,’’ said Fisher, who has decided to go with veteran Shaun Hill at quarterback Sunday. “You know every week’s a challenge (and) this week’s obviously one of the biggest of the year from a matchup standpoint for us.’’
When asked about Manning’s special qualities, Fisher mentioned the veteran quarterback’s “tremendous respect for everyone associated with the game.’’
Fisher continued: “When Sam (Bradford) went down, I got a text from Peyton, making sure that I told Sam he was thinking about him, wished him luck. That’s the kind of person he is.’’
While the Rams (3-6) return home, Sunday will mark the third straight road game for the Broncos, who lost 43-21 at New England on Nov. 2 before rallying to blow out the Raiders 41-17 last Sunday.
“I think playing on the road is always taxing,’’ Denver coach John Fox said. “It’s eight (home) and eight (road); we know that much and how they clump them is up to the schedule makers. We were aware of it and it’ll be another challenge (Sunday).’’
INJURY REPORT
Cornerback Marcus Roberson, who suffered an ankle injury in the Rams’ road victory over San Francisco two weeks ago, has been ruled out of Sunday’s game.
Others sitting out Friday’s workout were linebacker Daren Bates (groin), defensive back Lamarcus Joyner (groin), wide receiver Damian Williams (hamstring) and defensive tackle Alex Carrington (quadriceps). Carrington is listed as questionable for Sunday while the rest are doubtful. Linebacker Will Herring (foot) was limited in practice Friday and is probable.
Also listed probable are starting middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (foot) and starting defensive end William Hayes (fibula). Both were full participants in Friday’s workout.
With starting running back Ronnie Hillman out with a foot injury, the Broncos’ Montee Ball could see some action Sunday in front of the hometown fans. Ball, who starred at Timberland High in Wentzville, has missed the last five games with a groin injury but has practiced this week and is listed as probable.
Hillman leads the Broncos with 378 rushing yards and has scored four touchdowns. Last week, second-year back C.J. Anderson enjoyed a career day when he rushed for 90 yards and added 73 receiving yards. It was his thrilling 51-yard catch and run for a touchdown just before halftime that helped the Broncos erase a 10-6 deficit and go on to a rout of the Raiders.
Ball, Denver’s second-round draft pick in 2013, ran for 559 yards with four touchdowns as a rookie. This season, he started three of the first four games, rushing for 172 yards and a touchdown with nine receptions for 62 yards.
Tight end Virgil Green (knee) did not practice and is doubtful for Sunday. The rest of the players on the Denver injury report — tackle Ryan Clady (groin), tackle Paul Cornick (shoulder), guard Orlando Franklin (knee), safety Quinton Carter (knee), linebacker Steven Johnson (ankle) and running back Juwan Thompson (knee) — practiced Friday and are probable.
BIG FINE FOR KENDRICKS
In the third quarter of last Sunday’s loss in Arizona, Rams tight end Lance Kendricks was called for an illegal blindside block on Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson that helped Jared Cook take an Austin Davis pass 41 yards to the Arizona 4-yard line.
The 15-yard call pushed the ball back to the Arizona 35. The Rams, who led 14-10 at the time, were unable to add any points as the Cardinals rallied with 21 fourth-quarter points for the win.
On Friday, the NFL hit Kendricks with a fine of $22,050, the minimum amount for an illegal blindside hit. The fine is a reflection of the NFL’s emphasis on player safety.
RAM-BLINGS
The Rams have nominated Fisher for the fourth annual Salute to Service award presented by USAA, the NFL’s official Military Appreciation Sponsor. The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors award show the night before the Super Bowl. Last year’s winner was Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh.
• Hall of Fame defensive back Aeneas Williams will receive his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence on Sunday in Arizona when the Cardinals take on the Detroit Lions. Williams was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 1991 draft but played the final four seasons of his standout career with the Rams.
• After Friday’s practice, Fisher confirmed that defensive end Chris Long would not be activated. Long suffered an ankle injury that required surgery in the season opener and has been on the injured reserve/designated to return list.
“He’s only practiced two days,’’ the coach said.
Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report.