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Posted December 12, 2007 10:00 pm

Hal Pilger

By Hal Pilger

Gatehouse News Service

Last Sunday at Cincinnati, St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt caught eight passes for 90 yards, boosting him to 1,034 receiving yards on the season.

This was a bigger-than-usual deal for several reasons:

It gave Holt eight consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. He joined Jerry Rice (11), Tim Brown (nine), Cris Carter (eight) and Marvin Harrison (eight) as the only players in NFL history to do so.

It made Holt just the ninth player in NFL history with at least eight 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

It allowed Holt to tie teammate Isaac Bruce for most 1,000-yard receiving seasons in franchise history with eight.

And it occurred despite all the negative aspects of the Rams' current season, including a nagging sore knee that has bothered Holt much of the season.

"He is a warrior, obviously, to have the season he's having and to not be as healthy as he's been in the past," offensive coordinator Greg Olson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He's shown tremendous courage.

"He's played a lot more snaps obviously than he would like to play or we would like to play him. That's based out of necessity right now. And again, he's playing at a high level. He's just a great pro, a great receiver."

With 11,781 career all-purpose yards, Holt - who has a team-leading six touchdowns - also has passed Rams wide receivers coach Henry Ellard (11,707) for second place on the team's all-time all-purpose yards list.

RAMS RIDDLE: An interception by free safety Oshiomogho "O.J." Atogwe on Dec. 2 against Atlanta was his fourth in four consecutive games. Who was the last Rams player to intercept a pass in four consecutive games? Answer below.

n UP NEXT: Things won't get any easier for the 3-10 Rams at home Sunday when Brett Favre and the 11-2 Green Bay Packers come to town for the first time since 2003.

The Packers already have wrapped up the NFC North title and potentially can earn a first-round bye with a win in the Edward Jones Dome. The game, along with next week's Thursday night home finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, are sellouts, meaning no TV blackout Sunday in the St. Louis area.

The Rams-Packers series is one of the NFL's oldest, dating to 1937 and covering 89 games. The Rams, who beat the Packers 23-20 last season at Lambeau Field, lead the all-time series 46-41-2.

COACH INJURED: Seems even the coaching staff isn't immune to the injuries that have been plaguing the Rams this season.

Defensive secondary coach Willy Robinson underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his thigh after he slipped and fell leaving the locker room at the start of the second half in Cincinnati.

n BIG FOOT: When Jeff Wilkins drilled a 50-yard field goal at Cincinnati, it was the 25th from 50 yards or farther during his career - all coming with the Rams.

With 304 career field goals, Wilkins is tied with Pat Leahy, Jim Turner and Adam Vinatieri for 15th place all-time among NFL kickers.

BRUCE MILESTONES: With 83 career receiving touchdowns, Bruce needs one to tie Mark Clayton, Andre Rison, Irving Fryar and Tommy McDonald for 13th place on the NFL's all-time TD receptions list. Two more would tie him with Lance Alworth and Paul Warfield for 11th place.

Bruce needs 12 receptions to pass Art Monk (940) for sixth place on the NFL's all-time receptions list.

n RIDDLE RESULTS: Atogwe, who leads the team with five interceptions, is the first Rams player to intercept a pass in four consecutive games since Anthony Newman did so in 1991-92 for the then-Los Angeles Rams.

n END QUOTE: Coach Scott Linehan, quoted by the Post-Dispatch regarding his return to the team next season: "At this point it's not my issue. My issue is trying to get our fourth win. That's where my mind is."

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

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