News

Rams notebook: Things can't get any worse

Posted November 01, 2007 11:00 pm

Hal Pilger

The St. Louis Rams are hoping the second half of their season proves better than the second halves of their games so far this season.

The 0-8 Rams rank last in the NFL in scoring, averaging only 12.4 points per game, and their performance in the second half of games has been especially pathetic. Despite being very much in seven of their eight losses at halftime, the Rams have remained winless while getting outscored 131-36 after halftime.

That's an average margin of 16.4 to 4.5 - not exactly the best way to finish close games.

"Second halves have been our downfall," said second-year coach Scott Linehan.

As far as the second half of the season is concerned, the Rams can't do worse record-wise than they did during the first half. Whether they do any better likely will depend on how much they improve on both sides of the ball in the third and four quarters.

How to accomplish that in November?

"You just have to work on getting better every day," Linehan was quoted in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "That's the toughest challenge right now, not getting into the tank.

"Now you've got to pull yourself out of there every day, move forward, stay positive and work hard. I think we made some strides last week, but it wasn't good enough.

"Putting points on the board has got to happen in both halves. We have to become a much better team in the second half. That has not been something we have done well at all this year."

Playing better on the road - where the Rams will play the first two weeks after their bye - is a must as well. The Rams have been outscored 114-19 (an average score of 28.5-4.75) as underachieving visitors.

- RAMS RIDDLE: Running back Steven Jackson (with 3,480 career rushing yards) needs 14 to move into fifth place on the Rams' all-time rushing list. Who would Jackson pass? Answer below.

- BATTLE OF BULGE: Jackson had to leave Sunday's game against the Browns because of what was described as lower back tightness, something he thought might have been the result of "overcompensation" for his healing torn groin muscle.

"I talked to the doctor, and he ran down the list of what can happen from the groin injury," Jackson said, citing lower back spasms as one of the possibilities. "We really worked on it to get it to loosen up, but that muscle just wouldn't cooperate with us today."

But on Monday, Jackson's aching back was examined more closely, and it was revealed that he actually has a bulging disc.

"It is treatable, and we are optimistic for his return even as soon as New Orleans (Nov. 11)," Linehan said during Monday's press conference. "It's good timing we have the bye this week for him. Certainly I would think he wouldn't be able to play this week. . . ."

- MORE BAD NEWS: Right guard RICHIE INCOGNITO, who missed the final three quarters of Sunday's game, may miss the entire second half of the season.

What initially was described as a right knee sprain was determined to be a partial dislocation of the knee, something that usually requires potentially season-ending surgery to repair.

"It will require surgery," Linehan said, adding, "That one doesn't look that promising for this season. We haven't ruled that out yet - there's not anything official with (injured reserve) or anything - but it's a pretty extended time out for that injury."

- TOUGH LESSON: Twice on third-and-1 and twice on fourth-and-1 Sunday, rookie running back Brian Leonard was unable to gain the yard needed to make a first down while subbing for Jackson.

But Leonard believes his unsuccessful attempts provided a valuable learning experience that should help him be more effective in the future.

"You know, whatever doesn't kill you helps you out," Leonard said. "I think it definitely will help me in the future. I've just got to put it behind me and learn from it - and hit the hole harder next time.

"No matter what the blocking is, a back just has to find a way to get that first down, and I didn't do it. When it comes down to fourth-and-1, you've got to get that first down."

- RIDDLE RESULT: With 14 rushing yards, Jackson will pass Dan Towler (3,493) for fifth place on the Rams' all-time rushing list.

- END QUOTE: Quarterback Marc Bulger, on re-entering Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with a bruised thumb on his throwing hand: "I had a tough time throwing the ball in here (on practice throws), but it was the fourth quarter, and we're down by four. I'll break every bone in my body before I take myself out. I just felt that's part of being a quarterback - you have to play when you're injured."

Hal Pilger can be reached at (217) 788-1548 or hal.pilger@sj-r.com .

Article Categories
News