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Rams notes: Fisher expresses condolences for Redbirds' tragic loss
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_5d500a7f-312a-5699-a56c-bcf52812d3eb.html
As Rams coach Jeff Fisher began his weekly Monday news conference at Rams Park, his first thoughts weren’t about football.
“I’m going to start off by offering, on behalf of Stan Kroenke and our entire organization, our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Oscar Taveras and the entire St. Louis Cardinal baseball organization and (manager) Mike Matheny,’’ Fisher said, referring to the Sunday car crash in the Dominican Republic that took the lives of Cardinals outfielder Taveras, 22, and his girlfriend, Edilia Arvelo, 18. “It was such a tragic loss that we all learned about late yesterday. He was 22 years old (and) such a promising young man. The future that was ahead of him was unbelievable, so we’re very, very sorry.
“It just shows you how precious each day is and how precious life is. I’ve been in touch with Mike and I know he’ll handle this on behalf of the organization as best as he can.’’
BACKFIELD COMMITTEE
With the Rams forced to play catch-up after halftime in their 34-7 loss Sunday to the Chiefs in Kansas City, the running game was virtually a non-factor. Still, the trio of Benny Cunningham, Tre Mason and Zac Stacy had its moments.
Stacy, who took just one offensive snap a week earlier against Seattle, ran three times for 17 yards in the first half and twice for no gain after halftime. The second-year back from Vanderbilt also led the Rams with three catches and finished with 20 receiving yards.
Cunningham, who keyed the game’s opening drive with a 35-yard kickoff return, rushed four times for 27 yards, including an 18-yard burst late in the third quarter from the Rams’ 2. It was Cunningham’s 8-yard reception that set up the Rams’ lone touchdown — a 1-yard pass from Austin Davis to tight end Lance Kendricks.
Mason, a third-round draft pick in May, finished with a team-best 32 rushing yards, on seven carries, and added a 1-yard pass reception.
“When they got their opportunities, they were all productive,’’ Fisher said. “The average per carry is about the same. ... We may settle into something this week.’’
Fisher doesn’t see any problems with the running back by committee.
“Not (with) their personalities. It may be (a problem) for some backs, but not these three,’’ the coach said. “...Zac didn’t have any trouble getting started. Neither did Benny on the long run back up on the 2-yard line — that was an outstanding run. Tre’s making plays as well.’’
HOUSTON WAS A PROBLEM
Right tackle Joe Barksdale, one of the Rams’ most consistent players, had a rare off day Sunday as Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston recorded three of his team’s seven sacks to raise his season total to an NFL-leading 10.
Barksdale “was vulnerable on the inside move and Houston took advantage of it a couple of times,’’ Fisher said. “We also held the ball; should have gotten rid of the ball a couple times. The sacks were not all Joe’s (fault). Sacks are oftentimes attributed to the offense, to the protection, to the help, to the routes that are run incorrectly. Joe, he’ll overcome this. The tackle position is hard to play and (Kansas City linebackers Houston and Tamba Hali) are two outstanding rushers. He’ll bounce back.’’
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
According to the coaches’ tape review, middle linebacker James Laurinaitis and rookie cornerbacks Larmarcus Joyner and E.J. Gaines paced the Rams against the Chiefs with 11 tackles each. Laurinaitis, who had six solos, including one for loss, also had a quarterback pressure, a pass broken up, a batted ball and a caused penalty.
Joyner, a second-round draft pick in May, led the way with 10 solos, including a pair for loss, while Gaines, a sixth-round pick who played his high school ball in suburban Kansas City and went on to star at the University of Missouri, had nine solos.
Other top tacklers for the Rams were safety T.J. McDonald (eight, six solos) and defensive end William Hayes (eight, five solos). Hayes also had three quarterback pressures and recovered a fumble.
As a unit, the defense had 11 quarterback pressures, three QB hits and a pair of Robert Quinn sacks on back-to-back plays just before halftime.
Rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald joined Joyner and Quinn with two tackles for loss.
On special teams, linebacker Marshall McFadden had two tackles while Chase Reynolds and Trey Watts added one each. It was the first action of the season for McFadden, who was recently promoted from the practice squad.
RAM-BLINGS
Barksdale, quarterback Austin Davis and rookie guard-tackle Greg Robinson were on the field for all 52 offensive snaps Sunday. On defense, Laurinaitis and McDonald participated in all 66 snaps, rookie cornerbacks Gaines and Marcus Roberson on 65. Making his first NFL start, Roberson was also on the field for 12 special-teams plays.
Some other participation numbers of note: Cunningham and Mason took 18 snaps each at RB while Stacy at 15. At receiver, Kenny Britt had 41, Tavon Austin 33, Stedman Bailey 22 and Chris Givens 21. Those were season-high numbers for both Bailey and Givens.
• Rams players have elected center Scott Wells as their NFL Players Association representative, with tight end-fullback Cory Harkey and tackle Jake Long as alternates.
• Former Rams safety Matt Daniels has been signed to Jacksonville’s practice squad. Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Duke Universityin 2012, he showed promise here but could not stay healthy.
Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_5d500a7f-312a-5699-a56c-bcf52812d3eb.html
As Rams coach Jeff Fisher began his weekly Monday news conference at Rams Park, his first thoughts weren’t about football.
“I’m going to start off by offering, on behalf of Stan Kroenke and our entire organization, our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Oscar Taveras and the entire St. Louis Cardinal baseball organization and (manager) Mike Matheny,’’ Fisher said, referring to the Sunday car crash in the Dominican Republic that took the lives of Cardinals outfielder Taveras, 22, and his girlfriend, Edilia Arvelo, 18. “It was such a tragic loss that we all learned about late yesterday. He was 22 years old (and) such a promising young man. The future that was ahead of him was unbelievable, so we’re very, very sorry.
“It just shows you how precious each day is and how precious life is. I’ve been in touch with Mike and I know he’ll handle this on behalf of the organization as best as he can.’’
BACKFIELD COMMITTEE
With the Rams forced to play catch-up after halftime in their 34-7 loss Sunday to the Chiefs in Kansas City, the running game was virtually a non-factor. Still, the trio of Benny Cunningham, Tre Mason and Zac Stacy had its moments.
Stacy, who took just one offensive snap a week earlier against Seattle, ran three times for 17 yards in the first half and twice for no gain after halftime. The second-year back from Vanderbilt also led the Rams with three catches and finished with 20 receiving yards.
Cunningham, who keyed the game’s opening drive with a 35-yard kickoff return, rushed four times for 27 yards, including an 18-yard burst late in the third quarter from the Rams’ 2. It was Cunningham’s 8-yard reception that set up the Rams’ lone touchdown — a 1-yard pass from Austin Davis to tight end Lance Kendricks.
Mason, a third-round draft pick in May, finished with a team-best 32 rushing yards, on seven carries, and added a 1-yard pass reception.
“When they got their opportunities, they were all productive,’’ Fisher said. “The average per carry is about the same. ... We may settle into something this week.’’
Fisher doesn’t see any problems with the running back by committee.
“Not (with) their personalities. It may be (a problem) for some backs, but not these three,’’ the coach said. “...Zac didn’t have any trouble getting started. Neither did Benny on the long run back up on the 2-yard line — that was an outstanding run. Tre’s making plays as well.’’
HOUSTON WAS A PROBLEM
Right tackle Joe Barksdale, one of the Rams’ most consistent players, had a rare off day Sunday as Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston recorded three of his team’s seven sacks to raise his season total to an NFL-leading 10.
Barksdale “was vulnerable on the inside move and Houston took advantage of it a couple of times,’’ Fisher said. “We also held the ball; should have gotten rid of the ball a couple times. The sacks were not all Joe’s (fault). Sacks are oftentimes attributed to the offense, to the protection, to the help, to the routes that are run incorrectly. Joe, he’ll overcome this. The tackle position is hard to play and (Kansas City linebackers Houston and Tamba Hali) are two outstanding rushers. He’ll bounce back.’’
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
According to the coaches’ tape review, middle linebacker James Laurinaitis and rookie cornerbacks Larmarcus Joyner and E.J. Gaines paced the Rams against the Chiefs with 11 tackles each. Laurinaitis, who had six solos, including one for loss, also had a quarterback pressure, a pass broken up, a batted ball and a caused penalty.
Joyner, a second-round draft pick in May, led the way with 10 solos, including a pair for loss, while Gaines, a sixth-round pick who played his high school ball in suburban Kansas City and went on to star at the University of Missouri, had nine solos.
Other top tacklers for the Rams were safety T.J. McDonald (eight, six solos) and defensive end William Hayes (eight, five solos). Hayes also had three quarterback pressures and recovered a fumble.
As a unit, the defense had 11 quarterback pressures, three QB hits and a pair of Robert Quinn sacks on back-to-back plays just before halftime.
Rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald joined Joyner and Quinn with two tackles for loss.
On special teams, linebacker Marshall McFadden had two tackles while Chase Reynolds and Trey Watts added one each. It was the first action of the season for McFadden, who was recently promoted from the practice squad.
RAM-BLINGS
Barksdale, quarterback Austin Davis and rookie guard-tackle Greg Robinson were on the field for all 52 offensive snaps Sunday. On defense, Laurinaitis and McDonald participated in all 66 snaps, rookie cornerbacks Gaines and Marcus Roberson on 65. Making his first NFL start, Roberson was also on the field for 12 special-teams plays.
Some other participation numbers of note: Cunningham and Mason took 18 snaps each at RB while Stacy at 15. At receiver, Kenny Britt had 41, Tavon Austin 33, Stedman Bailey 22 and Chris Givens 21. Those were season-high numbers for both Bailey and Givens.
• Rams players have elected center Scott Wells as their NFL Players Association representative, with tight end-fullback Cory Harkey and tackle Jake Long as alternates.
• Former Rams safety Matt Daniels has been signed to Jacksonville’s practice squad. Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Duke Universityin 2012, he showed promise here but could not stay healthy.
Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.