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Todd Gurley, defense deliver first true glimpse of what Fisher wants Rams to be
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-true-glimpse-of-what-fisher-wants-rams-to-be
ST. LOUIS -- As St. Louis Rams fans rained down chants of "Gur-ley, Gur-ley" at rookie running back Todd Gurley tearing through the Cleveland Browns and the team's defense dominated again, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher probably couldn't help but think of the heyday of his Tennessee Titans.
A stout defense and a dynamic young running back capable of closing out a game? That's precisely what Fisher wants his team to become. That "Gur-ley" and "Edd-ie" (as in George) sound alike is pure coincidence but the Rams' formula for a 24-6 win against the Browns on Sunday was far from it.
Despite a struggling offense that has offered little help in the first five weeks, Rams defenders have continued to point the finger at themselves about not finding ways to score themselves. It's an unfair self-criticism but one that the unit has focused on correcting.
It didn't take long for the defense to finally break through on Sunday. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins forced a first quarter fumble that safety Rodney McLeod scooped up and ran 20 yards into the end zone for a touchdown on Cleveland's first possession. The Rams forced three more turnovers with three of them leading to 17 points.
From there, it was Gurley who handled most of the heavy lifting to finish the job. Gurley rushed for 128 yards on 19 carries, including his first two career NFL touchdowns to put the Browns away.
What it means: The Rams finally took care of business against an opponent they were expected to beat. After a disappointing loss at Washington in week 2, the Rams looked like they could be on their way to another year in which games they are "supposed" to win don't go their way. At times in Sunday's game, the Rams had the look of a team that might give this one away but it didn't happen. At 3-3, the Rams still have to prove they can be consistent regardless of opponent but they'll get a chance to do it next week against another beatable opponent, the San Francisco 49ers.
What were they thinking?: The Rams haven't had much production from other members of the offense during their first five games. So it would stand to reason that when they reach the red zone, they'd want to get that duo touches. But on their first drive of the third quarter, when they finally found some offensive traction and ventured inside Cleveland's 20, they gave it to backup back Benny Cunningham twice, allowed a sack and tried a pass to tight end Jared Cook. They settled for a 35-yard field goal try, which kicker Greg Zuerlein missed.
One reason to panic: The Rams offense had a week off with the bye, time that was supposedly spent working out some of their many kinks on offense. But that unit looked worse for the lack of wear in the first quarter. The Rams had 3 yards of total offense in the first 15 minutes and though they picked it up a bit in the second quarter, their best drive died on a fumble by tight end Jared Cook in the red zone. They need players other than Gurley and Austin to contribute if they're to make a push toward the postseason.
Fantasy watch: Much was expected of Gurley in this game against Cleveland's porous run defense and he delivered. But for those playing in a PPR league, he also chipped in four catches for 35 yards to put a little more icing on the cake.
Ouch: The Rams had a couple of minor scares with cornerback Trumaine Johnson and linebacker Akeem Ayers leaving the game briefly for injuries but both returned and finished the game.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-true-glimpse-of-what-fisher-wants-rams-to-be
ST. LOUIS -- As St. Louis Rams fans rained down chants of "Gur-ley, Gur-ley" at rookie running back Todd Gurley tearing through the Cleveland Browns and the team's defense dominated again, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher probably couldn't help but think of the heyday of his Tennessee Titans.
A stout defense and a dynamic young running back capable of closing out a game? That's precisely what Fisher wants his team to become. That "Gur-ley" and "Edd-ie" (as in George) sound alike is pure coincidence but the Rams' formula for a 24-6 win against the Browns on Sunday was far from it.
Despite a struggling offense that has offered little help in the first five weeks, Rams defenders have continued to point the finger at themselves about not finding ways to score themselves. It's an unfair self-criticism but one that the unit has focused on correcting.
It didn't take long for the defense to finally break through on Sunday. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins forced a first quarter fumble that safety Rodney McLeod scooped up and ran 20 yards into the end zone for a touchdown on Cleveland's first possession. The Rams forced three more turnovers with three of them leading to 17 points.
From there, it was Gurley who handled most of the heavy lifting to finish the job. Gurley rushed for 128 yards on 19 carries, including his first two career NFL touchdowns to put the Browns away.
What it means: The Rams finally took care of business against an opponent they were expected to beat. After a disappointing loss at Washington in week 2, the Rams looked like they could be on their way to another year in which games they are "supposed" to win don't go their way. At times in Sunday's game, the Rams had the look of a team that might give this one away but it didn't happen. At 3-3, the Rams still have to prove they can be consistent regardless of opponent but they'll get a chance to do it next week against another beatable opponent, the San Francisco 49ers.
What were they thinking?: The Rams haven't had much production from other members of the offense during their first five games. So it would stand to reason that when they reach the red zone, they'd want to get that duo touches. But on their first drive of the third quarter, when they finally found some offensive traction and ventured inside Cleveland's 20, they gave it to backup back Benny Cunningham twice, allowed a sack and tried a pass to tight end Jared Cook. They settled for a 35-yard field goal try, which kicker Greg Zuerlein missed.
One reason to panic: The Rams offense had a week off with the bye, time that was supposedly spent working out some of their many kinks on offense. But that unit looked worse for the lack of wear in the first quarter. The Rams had 3 yards of total offense in the first 15 minutes and though they picked it up a bit in the second quarter, their best drive died on a fumble by tight end Jared Cook in the red zone. They need players other than Gurley and Austin to contribute if they're to make a push toward the postseason.
Fantasy watch: Much was expected of Gurley in this game against Cleveland's porous run defense and he delivered. But for those playing in a PPR league, he also chipped in four catches for 35 yards to put a little more icing on the cake.
Ouch: The Rams had a couple of minor scares with cornerback Trumaine Johnson and linebacker Akeem Ayers leaving the game briefly for injuries but both returned and finished the game.
