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Rams notes: Zuerlein has been sharp
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_18637543-0f38-5285-9717-b779cebb0e53.html
The conditions in Tampa Bay last weekend were far from ideal, thanks to a midgame thunderstorm, but Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein did what he needed to do.
With a 38-yard field goal with 38 seconds to play, Zuerlein helped the Rams slip by the Buccaneers 19-17 for their first victory of the season.
“Any time you get a chance to contribute and help your team win, it’s great,’’ said Zuerlein, who also connected on kicks from 35, 36 and 45 yards in the game. “It was sloppy, not the best conditions, but that’s part of the job. It’s the same for both teams, so it’s no excuse. You have a job to do and you’re expected to get it done.’’
The game-winning kick was the third in as many pro seasons for Zuerlein, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 draft. As a rookie, Zuerlein booted a 54-yarder in overtime to beat visiting San Francisco 16-13 on Dec. 2. Last year, in a season-opening 27-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome, Zuerlein connected from 48 yards with 45 seconds to play.
After missing on a few long-range tries in the preseason and on a 50-yarder to open the regular season, Zuerlein is perfect on six attempts, including one from 56 yards.
The most accurate kicker in team history, Zuerlein has converted 55 of 66 field goal tries (83.3 percent) in 34 NFL games.
“During the preseason, you work on different things, try to tweak things. You’re allowed to miss then,’’ the 25-year-old from Missouri Western State University explained.
Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel added: “He missed that first kick against Minnesota, hit a great ball (and) hit it straight left. ... He’s got great confidence and he’s got great ball-striking right now.’’
However, Zuerlein struggled with his kickoffs in Tampa Bay, calling it a “bad kickoff day.’’
“It was a mixture of things, really,’’ he continued. “The field conditions didn’t help, but mainly, it was me. I was trying to overkick, trying too hard to get the touchback instead of just kicking the ball the way I normally do.
“My kickoffs need to be better, so that I can help out the defense with field position.’’
SAM ‘WORKING HARD’
Dallas coach Jason Garrett has been impressed with former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, who signed with the Cowboys’ practice squad after being waived by the Rams. Sam is the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL.
“Michael’s done a nice job,’’ Garrett said. “He’s come in, he works hard. He’s a young developmental player. He’s had a track record of success on the college level and we, like the Rams, have a lot of defensive linemen, so sometimes it’s hard for young guys to get opportunities.
“He’s certainly in the mix; he’s working hard in practice as one of our practice squad guys.’’
INJURY REPORT
Cornerback Brandon McGee, who took 26 defensive snaps and 10 more on special teams last week in the Rams’ 19-17 win in Tampa Bay, has been ruled out of Sunday’s game with the Dallas Cowboys with a foot injury.
Also out are center Barrett Jones (back) and cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee). Both are dealing with long-term injuries.
Quarterback Shaun Hill (thigh), receiver Tavon Austin (knee) and tight end Cory Harkey (knee) were limited in practice Friday and are listed at questionable. Guard Rodger Saffold (illness) and center Scott Wells (not injury related) practiced fully Friday and are probable.
The Cowboys have ruled out linebacker and second-leading tackler Jason Durant (groin) and have top tackler Rolando McClain (groin) listed as doubtful. Defensive tackle Davon Coleman and defensive end Anthony Spencer are out.
Listed as questionable for Dallas are receiver Dez Bryant (shoulder), defensive end Lavar Edwards (knee), tight end Gavin Escobar (knee) and running back Joseph Randle (concussion). Bryant, who was limited in practice Friday, left last week’s game in the first quarter but came back to finish with 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Tony Romo (back) joins defensive tackle Ken Bishop (illness), guard Zack Martin (foot) and ex-Rams defensive end George Selvie (shoulder) as probables. Romo, who has had back surgery at the end of the past two seasons, practiced fully Thursday and Friday.
RAM-BLINGS
Defensive end Eugene Sims and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar were hit with stiff fines of $16,537 for offenses last weekend in Tampa Bay. Sims was fined for a horse-collar tackle while Dunbar took the hit for a roughing-the-passer call on Josh McCown.
It appeared that Dunbar’s hit was to the shoulder, not the head, of McCown.
• The Rams made a practice-squad move, adding cornerback Jemea Thomas and releasing receiver and kick returner Justin Veltung.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Thomas played at Georgia Tech and was a sixth-round draft choice of the New England Patriots in May. He was cut and claimed off waivers by Dallas in late August and cut from the Cowboys’ practice squad Tuesday.
Veltung was claimed off waivers from Seattle in training camp last year and spent most of 2013 on the practice squad. He was activated late last season when Austin went down with an ankle sprain and performed well on punt returns, averaging 8.7 yards on seven returns.
• By Joe Lyons
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_18637543-0f38-5285-9717-b779cebb0e53.html
The conditions in Tampa Bay last weekend were far from ideal, thanks to a midgame thunderstorm, but Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein did what he needed to do.
With a 38-yard field goal with 38 seconds to play, Zuerlein helped the Rams slip by the Buccaneers 19-17 for their first victory of the season.
“Any time you get a chance to contribute and help your team win, it’s great,’’ said Zuerlein, who also connected on kicks from 35, 36 and 45 yards in the game. “It was sloppy, not the best conditions, but that’s part of the job. It’s the same for both teams, so it’s no excuse. You have a job to do and you’re expected to get it done.’’
The game-winning kick was the third in as many pro seasons for Zuerlein, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2012 draft. As a rookie, Zuerlein booted a 54-yarder in overtime to beat visiting San Francisco 16-13 on Dec. 2. Last year, in a season-opening 27-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome, Zuerlein connected from 48 yards with 45 seconds to play.
After missing on a few long-range tries in the preseason and on a 50-yarder to open the regular season, Zuerlein is perfect on six attempts, including one from 56 yards.
The most accurate kicker in team history, Zuerlein has converted 55 of 66 field goal tries (83.3 percent) in 34 NFL games.
“During the preseason, you work on different things, try to tweak things. You’re allowed to miss then,’’ the 25-year-old from Missouri Western State University explained.
Rams special teams coordinator John Fassel added: “He missed that first kick against Minnesota, hit a great ball (and) hit it straight left. ... He’s got great confidence and he’s got great ball-striking right now.’’
However, Zuerlein struggled with his kickoffs in Tampa Bay, calling it a “bad kickoff day.’’
“It was a mixture of things, really,’’ he continued. “The field conditions didn’t help, but mainly, it was me. I was trying to overkick, trying too hard to get the touchback instead of just kicking the ball the way I normally do.
“My kickoffs need to be better, so that I can help out the defense with field position.’’
SAM ‘WORKING HARD’
Dallas coach Jason Garrett has been impressed with former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, who signed with the Cowboys’ practice squad after being waived by the Rams. Sam is the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL.
“Michael’s done a nice job,’’ Garrett said. “He’s come in, he works hard. He’s a young developmental player. He’s had a track record of success on the college level and we, like the Rams, have a lot of defensive linemen, so sometimes it’s hard for young guys to get opportunities.
“He’s certainly in the mix; he’s working hard in practice as one of our practice squad guys.’’
INJURY REPORT
Cornerback Brandon McGee, who took 26 defensive snaps and 10 more on special teams last week in the Rams’ 19-17 win in Tampa Bay, has been ruled out of Sunday’s game with the Dallas Cowboys with a foot injury.
Also out are center Barrett Jones (back) and cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee). Both are dealing with long-term injuries.
Quarterback Shaun Hill (thigh), receiver Tavon Austin (knee) and tight end Cory Harkey (knee) were limited in practice Friday and are listed at questionable. Guard Rodger Saffold (illness) and center Scott Wells (not injury related) practiced fully Friday and are probable.
The Cowboys have ruled out linebacker and second-leading tackler Jason Durant (groin) and have top tackler Rolando McClain (groin) listed as doubtful. Defensive tackle Davon Coleman and defensive end Anthony Spencer are out.
Listed as questionable for Dallas are receiver Dez Bryant (shoulder), defensive end Lavar Edwards (knee), tight end Gavin Escobar (knee) and running back Joseph Randle (concussion). Bryant, who was limited in practice Friday, left last week’s game in the first quarter but came back to finish with 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Tony Romo (back) joins defensive tackle Ken Bishop (illness), guard Zack Martin (foot) and ex-Rams defensive end George Selvie (shoulder) as probables. Romo, who has had back surgery at the end of the past two seasons, practiced fully Thursday and Friday.
RAM-BLINGS
Defensive end Eugene Sims and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar were hit with stiff fines of $16,537 for offenses last weekend in Tampa Bay. Sims was fined for a horse-collar tackle while Dunbar took the hit for a roughing-the-passer call on Josh McCown.
It appeared that Dunbar’s hit was to the shoulder, not the head, of McCown.
• The Rams made a practice-squad move, adding cornerback Jemea Thomas and releasing receiver and kick returner Justin Veltung.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Thomas played at Georgia Tech and was a sixth-round draft choice of the New England Patriots in May. He was cut and claimed off waivers by Dallas in late August and cut from the Cowboys’ practice squad Tuesday.
Veltung was claimed off waivers from Seattle in training camp last year and spent most of 2013 on the practice squad. He was activated late last season when Austin went down with an ankle sprain and performed well on punt returns, averaging 8.7 yards on seven returns.
