- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 8,874
Rams notes: Westbrooks getting his feet wet on defense
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_dba43e94-c038-5bdc-8840-0fd8808b445e.html
Even when he was inactive for the season opener against Minnesota, undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks tried to make the most of the opportunity to be on an NFL sideline.
“It’s not like you’ve got your piña colada and cigar just enjoying life,” Westbrooks said. “It’s definitely still a work day.”
So he took mental reps on what was happening that day, and went over his keys from the practice week to see if they held up during the actual game.
Even if he had a piña colada and cigar working that day, he’d have had to put them down. Because of defensive end Chris Long’s foot injury, Westbrooks was fast-forwarded into the line rotation against Tampa Bay and Dallas.
“He’s averaging 15-20 plays a game, which is good,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’ll help keep Will (Hayes) fresh, and we need that.”
Westbrooks was in for 16 plays against the Cowboys and 17 in Game 2 against Tampa — roughly 30 percent of the defensive snaps in both games. He had one tackle against Tampa, and was credited with four tackles — including one for loss — against Dallas.
“He’s coming along,” Fisher said. “He’s got the versatility. We didn’t move him around inside like we did in the preseason but Mike (Waufle)’s done a good job with him.”
Waufle is the Rams’ defensive line coach. Westbrooks, a raw but talented prospect from NCAA Division II West Texas A&M, probably would’ve been on the pregame inactive list much of the 2014 season after beating out Missouri’s Michael Sam for the final spot on the 53-man roster coming out of the preseason.
But Long’s injury has accelerated the learning process.
“It’s been good; just continuing to learn new things,” Westbrooks said. “I’m getting more acclimated with the whole defense, the speed of the game. Really starting to put an emphasis on my technique from Coach Wauf and Chris. Even though he’s out, Chris has been helping me a tremendous amount in the room and on the field.”
STILL MIFFED
There was no “24-hour” rule as far as Fisher is concerned about blown calls by referee Clete Blakeman against Dallas. When asked how his team can reduce penalties, he replied: “Well, we just get them to call penalties, and not throw flags when there’s no infractions. That’ll significantly reduce it.”
BAD HISTORY
According to Dr. Richard Winer, the spotter and statistician for Rams radio broadcasts, Sunday’s 34-31 loss to Dallas matched the biggest deficit overcome by an opponent at a Rams home game in franchise history.
The Rams led 21-0 Sunday against the Cowboys. In 1982, the Los Angeles Rams led 21-0 against visiting Denver before the Broncos rallied for a 27-24 overtime victory.
The last time the Rams scored at least 31 points and lost at home was in 2007, also by a 34-31 score, against Arizona.
INJURY UPDATE
Only four players were less than full participants in Wednesday’s bye week practice. Cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (knee) and Brandon McGee (foot) did not participate. McGee may miss a couple more weeks with his injury.
Center/guard Barrett Jones (back) did some work on the side. Wide receiver/punt returner Tavon Austin (knee) did some individual work, signaling that he possibly could be ready for Philadelphia, the Rams’ Oct. 5 opponent when they return from the bye week.
RAM-BLINGS
• Following knee surgery September 8, QB Sam Bradford was back at Rams Park on Wednesday, with no scooter or crutches — just a knee brace — and moving around pretty well.
• Houston has signed DT Ryan “Big Grease” Pickett, a first-round pick of the Rams in 2001 who spent five seasons with the Rams and then eight with Green Bay as a run-stuffer.
• LB Kevin Reddick, who spent the first two weeks of the season on the Rams’ practice squad, has been signed to San Diego’s active roster.
• Country music duo Montgomery Gentry will perform a 60-minute postgame concert for fans attending the team’s Nov. 30 contest with Oakland at the Edward Jones Dome.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_dba43e94-c038-5bdc-8840-0fd8808b445e.html
Even when he was inactive for the season opener against Minnesota, undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrooks tried to make the most of the opportunity to be on an NFL sideline.
“It’s not like you’ve got your piña colada and cigar just enjoying life,” Westbrooks said. “It’s definitely still a work day.”
So he took mental reps on what was happening that day, and went over his keys from the practice week to see if they held up during the actual game.
Even if he had a piña colada and cigar working that day, he’d have had to put them down. Because of defensive end Chris Long’s foot injury, Westbrooks was fast-forwarded into the line rotation against Tampa Bay and Dallas.
“He’s averaging 15-20 plays a game, which is good,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’ll help keep Will (Hayes) fresh, and we need that.”
Westbrooks was in for 16 plays against the Cowboys and 17 in Game 2 against Tampa — roughly 30 percent of the defensive snaps in both games. He had one tackle against Tampa, and was credited with four tackles — including one for loss — against Dallas.
“He’s coming along,” Fisher said. “He’s got the versatility. We didn’t move him around inside like we did in the preseason but Mike (Waufle)’s done a good job with him.”
Waufle is the Rams’ defensive line coach. Westbrooks, a raw but talented prospect from NCAA Division II West Texas A&M, probably would’ve been on the pregame inactive list much of the 2014 season after beating out Missouri’s Michael Sam for the final spot on the 53-man roster coming out of the preseason.
But Long’s injury has accelerated the learning process.
“It’s been good; just continuing to learn new things,” Westbrooks said. “I’m getting more acclimated with the whole defense, the speed of the game. Really starting to put an emphasis on my technique from Coach Wauf and Chris. Even though he’s out, Chris has been helping me a tremendous amount in the room and on the field.”
STILL MIFFED
There was no “24-hour” rule as far as Fisher is concerned about blown calls by referee Clete Blakeman against Dallas. When asked how his team can reduce penalties, he replied: “Well, we just get them to call penalties, and not throw flags when there’s no infractions. That’ll significantly reduce it.”
BAD HISTORY
According to Dr. Richard Winer, the spotter and statistician for Rams radio broadcasts, Sunday’s 34-31 loss to Dallas matched the biggest deficit overcome by an opponent at a Rams home game in franchise history.
The Rams led 21-0 Sunday against the Cowboys. In 1982, the Los Angeles Rams led 21-0 against visiting Denver before the Broncos rallied for a 27-24 overtime victory.
The last time the Rams scored at least 31 points and lost at home was in 2007, also by a 34-31 score, against Arizona.
INJURY UPDATE
Only four players were less than full participants in Wednesday’s bye week practice. Cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (knee) and Brandon McGee (foot) did not participate. McGee may miss a couple more weeks with his injury.
Center/guard Barrett Jones (back) did some work on the side. Wide receiver/punt returner Tavon Austin (knee) did some individual work, signaling that he possibly could be ready for Philadelphia, the Rams’ Oct. 5 opponent when they return from the bye week.
RAM-BLINGS
• Following knee surgery September 8, QB Sam Bradford was back at Rams Park on Wednesday, with no scooter or crutches — just a knee brace — and moving around pretty well.
• Houston has signed DT Ryan “Big Grease” Pickett, a first-round pick of the Rams in 2001 who spent five seasons with the Rams and then eight with Green Bay as a run-stuffer.
• LB Kevin Reddick, who spent the first two weeks of the season on the Rams’ practice squad, has been signed to San Diego’s active roster.
• Country music duo Montgomery Gentry will perform a 60-minute postgame concert for fans attending the team’s Nov. 30 contest with Oakland at the Edward Jones Dome.
