For the second-consecutive year, the St. Louis Rams will open their season at home as they kickoff their 2011 campaign against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday.
Sunday’s game will mark the eighth time the Rams have faced the Eagles in Week 1, the last coming in 2008. The Rams hold a 5-2 record in their previous opening-week matchups with Philadelphia.
Sunday’s game marks the 36th regular-season con-test between the Rams and Eagles, and the regular-season series is tied 17-17-1. The Rams, however, hold a 2-1 postseason advantage over the Eagles. The St. Louis offense will again be led by RB Steven Jackson, who earned his third trip to the Pro Bowl last season, and 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Sam Bradford. The group will be aided by key free agent additions G Harvey Dahl, WR Mike Sims-Walker and RBs Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood.
Defensively, the Rams ranked 12th in the NFL in points allowed, and the group returns eight starters, including MLB James Laurinaitis, DEs Chris Long and James Hall and DT Fred Robbins.
RAMS HOST EAGLES IN 2011 OPENER
Day Date Opponent Time TV
Sun. 9/11 Philadelphia Noon Fox Mon. 9/19 at N.Y. Giants 7:30 p.m. ESPN Sun. 9/25 Baltimore 3:05 p.m. CBS Sun. 10/2 Washington Noon Fox
Sun. 10/9 Bye Week
Sun. 10/16 at Green Bay Noon Fox Sun. 10/23 at Dallas 3:15 p.m. Fox Sun. 10/30 New Orleans Noon Fox Sun. 11/6 at Arizona 3:15 p.m. Fox
Sun. 11/13 at Cleveland Noon Fox
Sun. 11/20 Seattle 3:05 p.m. Fox
Sun. 11/27 Arizona Noon Fox
Sun. 12/4 at San Francisco 3:15 p.m. Fox Mon. 12/12 at Seattle 7:30 p.m. ESPN Sun. 12/18 Cincinnati Noon CBS Sat. 12/24 at Pittsburgh Noon Fox Sun. 1/1 San Francisco Noon Fox
2011 SCHEDULE
VISIT OUR MEDIA WEBSITE AT MEDIA.STLOUISRAMS.COM
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TED CREWS - SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
[email protected] - 314-516-8797
ARTIS TWYMAN - DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS
[email protected] - 314-516-8759
JULIA FARON - MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR
[email protected] - 314-516-8766
CASEY PEARCE - PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR
[email protected] - 314-516-8765
Wednesday, Sept. 7
-Practice: 11:50 a.m. -Coach Spagnuolo & QB Sam Bradford available on field after practice Conference Calls: Eagles player, Coach Andy Reid, Time TBD
Thursday, Sept. 8
-Practice: 11:50 a.m. -Coach Spagnuolo, RB Steven Jackson available on field after practice -Coordinators Ken Flajole, Josh McDaniels & Tom McMahon available -Players available
Friday, Sept. 9
-Practice 10:55 a.m. -Coach Spagnuolo available on field after practice. -Players available on field after practice Saturday, September 10 No Availability Sunday, September 11 Rams vs Eagles Edward Jones Dome
Noon (CST)
Monday, September 12
Coach Spagnuolo Press Conference
2 p.m. THIS WEEK’S MEDIA AVAILABILITY
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISIONFox
(KTVI, Ch. 2 in St. Louis)
Play-by-Play: Thom Brennaman Color Analysts: Brian Billick Sideline Reporter: Laura Okmin
RADIO
WXOS (101.1 FM)
Play-by-Play: Steve Savard Color Analyst: D’Marco Farr Sideline Reporter: Tony Softli QB Sam Bradford
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HILADELPHIAE
AGLES• Overall Regular Season Series: Series tied, 17-17-1 • Overall Postseason Series: Rams lead, 2-1
• Rams Regular Season Home Record vs. Eagles: 8-3-1 • Rams Regular Season Road Record vs. Eagles: 9-14 • Current Streak: Eagles, two games (2005-present) • Rams Longest Streak: Seven games (1964-78)
• Eagles Longest Streak: Four games (1944-47; 1990-99) • Regular Season Point Total: Rams 743, Eagles 703 • Most Points, Rams: 42, Rams 42-3 (1975)
• Most Points, Eagles: 56, Eagles 56-20 (1950) • Most Points, both teams: 76, Eagles 56-20 (1950) • Fewest Points, Rams: 0, Eagles 14-0 (1949) • Fewest Points, Jaguars: 0, Rams 20-0 (1977) • Fewest Points, both teams: 13, Eagles 10-3 (2002)
THE SERIES AT A GLANCE
Former Rams:
• Eagles Special Teams Coordinator Bobby April held the same position in St. Louis from 2001-03.
Former Eagles:
• Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo spent eight seasons as an assistant on Andy Reid’s staff with the Eagles, including stints as a defensive assis-tant, secondary coach and linebackers coach.
• Rams CB Al Harris spent five seasons (1998-2002) with the Eagles. • Rams S Quintin Mikell signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2003 and spent the first eight years of his career in Philadelphia. • Rams WR Danny Amendola spent the 2009 offseason and training camp with the Eagles before the Rams signed him to their active roster.
• Rams QB A.J. Feeley was drafted by the Eagles in 2001 and enjoyed two stints with the club (2001-04, 2006-08).
• Rams WR Brandon Gibson was drafted by the Eagles in 2009 and spent half of his rookie season with Philadelphia before the Rams acquired him in a trade.
• Rams TE Stephen Spach spent his rookie season with the Eagles in 2005.
Missouri Ties:
• Eagles Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhiweg coached at Southeast Missouri State (1989-90) and Missouri (1991-93). • Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin is a St. Louis native. He prepped at Kirkwood High School and played at the University of Missouri.
• Eagles TE Clay Harbor played at Missouri State.
Philadelphia Ties:
• Rams LB Josh Hull and CB Justin King played at Penn State. Hull hails from Millheim, Pa. while King is from Pittsburgh.
• Rams WR Dominique Curry is a Philadelphia native. He prepped at George Washington High School and played at Cheyney University before finishing his career at California University (Pa.).
Coaching Connections:
• Eagles LB Jamar Cheney played at Mississippi State when Rams RB Coach Sylvester Croom was the Bulldogs’ head coach.
• Rams Defensive Backs/CBs Coach Clayton Lopez was Eagles CB
Nnamdi Asomugha’s position coach in 2004-05 with the Raiders.
• Rams Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels was the head coach in Denver when Eagles T Ryan Harris played for the Broncos.
NFL Teammate Connections:
• Rams DT Justin Bannan and Eagles T Ryan Harris were teammates with the Denver Broncos.
• Bannan and Eagles T Jason Peters played together in Buffalo. • Rams G Harvey Dahl and RB Jerious Norwood played with Eagles
QB Michael Vick with the Atlanta Falcons. Rams General Manager Billy Devaney was a member of Atlanta’s personnel department during Vick’s
tenure with the club as well.
• Rams G Jacob Bell and Eagles QB Vince Young were teammates with the Tennessee Titans.
• Rams LB Brady Poppinga played with Eagles DT Cullen Jenkins and
TE Donald Lee in Green Bay. College Teammate Connections:
• Eagles RB Ronnie Brown and Rams RB Cadillac Williams at Auburn. • Eagles S Kurt Coleman and LB Brian Rolle with Rams LB James
Laurinaitis and LS Jake McQuaide at Ohio State.
• Eagles LB Rashad Jeanty and Rams WR Mike Sims-Walker at Central Florida.
• Eagles G Danny Watkins and Rams T Jason Smith at Baylor.
NOTABLE CONNECTIONS
SERIES HISTORY VS. PHILADELPHIA
Regular SeasonSeries Tied, 17-17-1 Rams lead postseason series, 2-1 Year Result Location
1937 Rams, 21-3 PHI
1939 Rams, 35-13 CLE
1940 Rams, 21-13 CLE
1942 Rams, 24-14 Akron, Oh.
1944 Eagles, 26-13 PHI 1945 Eagles, 28-14 PHI 1946 Eagles, 25-14 LA 1947 Eagles, 14-7 PHI 1948 Tie, 28-28 LA 1949 Eagles, 38-14 PHI *Eagles, 14-0 LA 1950 Eagles, 56-20 PHI 1955 Rams, 23-21 PHI 1956 Rams, 27-7 LA 1957 Rams, 17-13 LA 1959 Eagles, 23-20 PHI 1964 Rams, 20-10 LA 1967 Rams, 33-17 LA 1969 Rams, 23-17 PHI 1972 Rams, 34-3 PHI 1975 Rams, 42-3 PHI 1977 Rams, 20-0 LA 1978 Rams, 16-14 PHI 1983 Eagles, 13-9 PHI 1985 Rams, 17-6 PHI 1986 Eagles, 34-20 PHI 1988 Eagles, 30-24 PHI 1989 **Rams, 21-7 PHI 1990 Eagles, 27-21 LA 1995 Eagles, 20-9 PHI 1998 Eagles, 17-14 PHI 1999 Eagles, 38-31 PHI 2001 Rams, 20-17 ot PHI ***Rams, 29-24 StL 2002 Eagles, 10-3 PHI 2004 Rams, 20-7 StL 2005 Eagles, 17-16 StL 2008 Eagles, 38-3 PHI *NFL Championship **NFC Wild Card Playoff ***NFC Championship Game
2010 Final Stats
Rams Eagles
18.1 (26t) Points Per Game 27.4 (3)
302.9 (26) Total Offense 389.4 (2)
98.6 (25) Rush Offense 145.3 (5)
204.3 (21) Pass Offense 244.1 (9)
30:51 Time Of Possession Average 31:15
20.5 (12) Opponent Points Per Game 23.6 (21t)
336.8 (19) Total Defense 327.2 (12) 113.1 (17) Rush Defense 110.4 (15) 223.6 (19) Pass Defense 216.8 (14t) 43/290 Sacks Made/Yards 39/292 14/161 Interceptions By/Yards 23/182 +5 (10) Turnover Differential +9 (5t)
11.3 (8) Punt Return Average 10.6 (12)
23.7 (21) Kickoff Return Average 20.5 (25)
9.7 (21) Punt Coverage 9.1 (17)
23.7 (21) Kickoff Coverage 21.8 (12)
94/45.5 Punts/Average 73/43.8
WR Brandon Gibson – Recorded new career highs with 53 receptions for 620 yards, both of which ranked second among Rams in 2010. Started 12 of 14 games.
LT Rodger Saffold – Second-round pick was the only NFL rookie to start all of his team’s games at left tackle last sea-son. Allowed only three sacks in 590 pass attempts according to StatsPass.com.
LG Jacob Bell – Eighth-year lineman started all 16 games at left guard. Marked second time in his career he’s started 16 games. Has blocked for four 1,000-yard rushers.
C Jason Brown – Started all 16 games in 2010 and has started 76 consecutive games, sixth-longest active streak among NFL centers. Helped Steven Jackson reach 1,000-yards in sixth-straight season.
RG Harvey Dahl – Mauling road grater joined the Rams in July as a free agent. Started 43 games over the last three seasons for one of NFL’s top offenses.
RT Jason Smith – Former second-overall pick started 15 of the team’s 16 games at right tackle in 2010. Opened holes for Steven Jackson to rush for 1,241 yards and earn Pro Bowl honors. TE Billy Bajema – Crafty veteran blocker and pass catcher set new career highs with 14 receptions and 145 yards last season. Recorded his first two touchdown catches of his career in Week 12 in Denver.
WR Danny Amendola – Led the Rams with 85 receptions for 689 yards and tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches. Finished ninth in the NFL and fifth in the NFC in receptions. Tied for ninth in NFL with 11.3-yard punt return average.
QB Sam Bradford – Top overall pick in 2010 draft set new NFL rookie records for attempts (590) and completions (354). His 3,512 yards are second most by a rookie in NFL history. Threw 18 touch-down passes and 15 interceptions.
FB Brit Miller – Appeared in nine games with two starts at full-back last season after joining the 53-man roster prior to Week 6. Finished second among Rams with 16 special teams tackles. RB Steven Jackson – Earned his third career trip to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,241 yards. Also caught 46 passes for 383 yards. Became Rams all-time leading rusher in Week 7. Current streak of six-consecutive 1,000-yard seasons is longest active streak in the NFL.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
RB Cadillac Williams – Has rushed for 3,677 yards and scored 24 combined touchdowns in six NFL seasons.
TE Lance Kendricks – Rams second-round draft pick was a Mackey Award finalist at Wisconsin last season after catching 43 passes for 663 yards.
WR Mike Sims-Walker – Former Jacksonville Jaguar’s career totals include 122 rec. for 1,648 yards and 14 TDs. Has caught 7 TD passes in each of last two seasons.
RB Jerious Norwood – Free agent averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per reception during five seasons with Atlanta.
OFFENSE
LDE Chris Long – Moved to the left side on a full-time basis and had a career-best 8.5 sacks in 2010. Led Rams with 16 quarterback pressures and 21 quarterback hits. Also logged 26 tackles.
LDT Fred Robbins - Twelve-year veteran tied for fourth among all NFL defensive tackles with 6.0 sacks, which marked a career high. Also had 24 tackles, including four for loss, eight quarterback hits and seven passes defensed on the year. Passes defensed total ranked second among NFL DTs, according to StatsPass.com. RDT Justin Bannan – Ten-year veteran joins St. Louis after stints with Buffalo, Baltimore and Denver. Has appeared in 129 career games.
RDE James Hall – Led the Rams with 10.5 sacks and led all St. Louis defensive linemen with 57 tackles on the year. Sack total is second highest of his 11-year NFL career. Had 2.0 sacks in three different games.
SLB Brady Poppinga – First-year Ram signed with St. Louis after six seasons with Green Bay. Started 39 games over a three-year for the Packers.
MLB James Laurinaitis – Rams leading tackler for the second-consecutive season as he posted 129 stops in 2010. Also posted three sacks and seven passes defensed while playing in a team-high 1,093 snaps.
WLB Ben Leber – Tenth-year veteran signed with the Rams in August after four years in Minnesota. Has started 111 of 136 career games and logged 483 tackles, 12 FFs & 5 INTs.
LCB Ron Bartell – Led Rams with 13 passes defensed last sea-son and had 72 tackles on the year.
RCB Bradley Fletcher – Bounced back from a severe knee injury as a rookie to lead the Rams with four interceptions. Ranked third on the team with 91 tackles and second with 12 passes defensed on the season.
SS Craig Dahl – Rams’ second-leading tackler with 93 stops on the season. Also posted two interceptions and 16 special teams stops on the year, tied for second most among Rams.
FS Quintin Mikell – First-year Ram led the Eagles with 111 tackles while also recording 14 pass breakups and three intercep-tions in 2010. Earned Pro Bowl honors in 2008.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
DE C.J. Ah You – Recorded a career high 4.0 sacks to go along with 19 tackles (two for loss) and seven quarterback hits.
S Darian Stewart – Rookie free agent had 11 tackles and five quarterback hits while manning the dime safety role for the Rams. CB Justin King – Fourth-year Ram logged 19 tackles and two passes defensed in eight games last season while manning the nickel corner position.
S James Butler – Started four games at free safety last season and tallied 26 tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed.
DEFENSE
2011 RAMS PROJECTED STARTERS
THE HEAD COACHES
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PAGNUOLO
NFL Coaching Year: 13th year
Rams Head Coach: 3rd year
Regular Season: 8-24 (.250)
Postseason: 0-0 (.000)
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LANCE 2009- St. Louis Rams Head Coach2007-08 New York Giants Defensive Coordinator
2004-06 Philadelphia Eagles Linebackers 2001-03 Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Backs
1999-2000 Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Assistant
1998 Frankfurt Galaxy (NFLE) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
1996-97 Bowling Green University Defensive Backs
1994-95 Rutgers University Defensive Backs
1994 University of Maine Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
1993 University of Maine Defensive Backs
1993 San Diego Chargers Scout
1992 Barcelona Dragons (WLAF) Defensive Line/Special Teams 1990-91 University of Connecticut Defensive Coordinator/Def. Backs
1987-89 University of Connecticut Defensive Backs
1984-86 Lafayette College Defensive Line/Special Teams
1983 Washington Redskins Player Personnel Intern
1982-83 University of Massachusetts Graduate Intern
Steve Spagnuolo enters his third season as head coach of the St. Louis Rams. In 2010, Spagnuolo’s team made a six-game improve-ment from 2009, finishing in second place in the NFC West. The six-game swing marked the second best turnaround in the NFL from 2009 to 2010. The Rams finished with a 5-3 home record, the first home winning record since 2004. In addition, the Rams improved their team net turnover ratio from -13 in 2009 to +5 in 2010. The Rams forfeited only six fumbles, the second fewest in the NFL. Spagnuolo’s 2010 Rams made considerable improvements in all three phases last season. Defensively, the Rams jumped 10 spots in total defense in 2010. On the offensive side of the ball, the Rams averaged 7.2 points per game more in 2010 than in 2009, largely by playing smart football that saw the team rank tied for eighth with 21 turnovers last season.
Spagnuolo came to the Rams after a stellar career as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and was the architect of the defense that shut down the high-octane New England Patriots in the Giants’ stunning 17-14 win in Super Bowl XLII.
Spagnuolo spent eight seasons (1999-2006) with the Philadelphia Eagles, serving as defensive assistant/safeties from 1999-2000, defensive backs coach from 2001-03 and linebackers coach from 2004-06. From 1999-2005, the Eagles played in four NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl.
Spagnuolo coached for 18 years in the college ranks and in pro-fessional football in Europe before joining the Eagles. Spagnuolo served as defensive line/special teams coach with the Barcelona Dragons of the WLAF in 1992 and was defensive coordinator/line-backers coach for NFL Europe’s Frankfurt Galaxy in 1998. A wide receiver at Springfield (Mass.) College from 1978-81, Spagnuolo coached collegiately at Massachusetts (1982-93), Lafayette (1984-86), Connecticut (1987-91), Maine (1993-94), Rutgers (1994-95) and Bowling Green (1996-97). Spagnuolo also worked as a pro personnel intern for the Washington Redskins in 1983 and as a scout with the San Diego Chargers in 1993.
A native of Whitinsville, Mass., Spagnuolo is married to wife, Maria.
A
NDY
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NFL Coaching Year: 20th year
Eagles Head Coach: 13th year
Regular Season: 118-73-0 (.618)
Postseason: 10-9 (.526)
During his tenure as Eagles head coach, Andy Reid, 50, has earned NFL coach of the year honors twice, compiled the best win total (118), winning percentage (.618), and playoff victory total (10) in team history. He has captured six division titles and five trips to the NFC Championship game.
Among coaches with 100 games under their belt, Reid’s winning percentage is 2nd among active coaches (Bill Belichick). Reid is the longest tenured head coach in the NFL.
Reid came to the Eagles after spending seven seasons as an assistant coach with Green Bay under Mike Holmgren. During that span, the Packers reached the playoffs six times and defeated New England in Super Bowl XXXI.
In his 20-year NFL coaching career, Reid’s teams have made the playoffs 13 times (19-12 record in those games). He has coached in the Super Bowl three times, in the NFC Championship game eight times, and in the Pro Bowl five times.
Reid enjoyed a two-year stint as the Packers quarterbacks coach, working with Brett Favre from 1997-98. A tackle and guard at Brigham Young University from 1979-81, Reid entered the coaching ranks as a graduate assistant under LaVell Edwards in 1982. It was at BYU that Reid met and worked with Holmgren, who served as the quarterbacks coach.
Reid next moved to San Francisco State in 1983 and helped them lead the nation in passing and total offense three consecutive years (1983-85). He went on to develop quality offensive lines at Northern Arizona, Texas-El Paso, and Missouri.
Raised not far from Dodger Stadium, Reid was a devoted fan of both the Dodgers and Rams (Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones in particular). He went on to attend John Marshall High School in LA and Glendale (CA) Junior College (where he was inducted into that school’s Hall of Fame in 2003) before matriculating to Brigham Young University where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in professional leadership in physical education and athletics.
R
EID,
ATAG
LANCE 1999- Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach1997-98 Green Bay Packers Quarterbacks
1992-96 Green Bay Packers Tight Ends/Asst. Off. Line
1989-91 Missouri Offensive Line
1987-88 Texas-El Paso Offensive Line
1986 Northern Arizona Offensive Line
1983-85 San Francisco State Offensive Coordinator/ Off. Line
RB Steven Jackson raced into Rams his-tory midway through the 2010 season as he passed Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. Jackson will add to his impressive career total in 2011 as he distances him-self from the pack.
There are only two running backs in the NFL who hold the franchise rushing record for the team that they currently play for: Jackson and Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams.
Jackson entered last season ranked third in franchise history in rushing. In Week 4, he passed Marshall Faulk (6,959) to move into second place on the franchise’s all-time rushing list and passed Dickerson in Week 7 at Tampa Bay.
Rams Career Rushing Yards Leaders
Yards
Steven Jackson (2004- ) 7,948
Eric Dickerson (1983-87) 7,245
Marshall Faulk (1999-2005) 6,959
Lawrence McCutcheon (1972-79) 6,186
JACKSON STANDS ALONE
RB Steven Jackson
With 1,241 yards in 2010, RB Steven Jackson became the first player in Rams history to record six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. His streak of six straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons is the longest active streak in the NFL
Jackson finished eighth in the NFL and third in the NFC in rushing in 2010. Since becoming a starter in 2006, Jackson posted yearly rush-ing totals of 1,046, 1,528, 1,002, 1,042 and 1,416 yards in addition to his 2010 total.
Consecutive 1,000-Yard Rushing Seasons In Rams History
Consecutive Seasons Years
Steven Jackson 6 2005-10
Eric Dickerson 4 1983-86
Marshall Faulk 3 1999-2001
SIX IN A ROW
RB Steven Jackson looks to extend his franchise record for 1,000-yard seasons to seven.
RAMS ALL-TIME LEADING RUSHERS
Eric Dickerson 7,245 yards Marshall Faulk 6,959 yards Steven Jackson 7,948 yards Lawrence McCutcheon 6,186 yards Dick Bass 5,417 yards
RB Steven Jackson is currently tied with Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for the sec-ond-most 100-yard rushing performances as a Ram. SJ39 reached the century mark four times last season to give him 27 such games in his career.
He needs 11 100-yard games to tie Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson for the most in team history.
Should Jackson rush for 100 yards Sunday against Philadelphia, it would mark the second time in his career that he’s reached
100 yard on opening day. His first came in 2006 when he gained 121 yards against the Denver Broncos.
Career 100-yard Games in Rams History
Eric Dickerson (1983-87) 38 Steven Jackson (2004- ) 27 Marshall Faulk (1999-2005) 27 Lawrence McCutcheon (1972-79) 22
CENTURY MARK
RB Steven JacksonAs RB Steven Jackson climbed to the top of the franchise’s all-time rushing list in 2010, he continued to gain ground on the Rams’ all-time rushing touchdown list. Jackson scored six times last season to give him 47 rushing touchdowns on his career.
As the 2011 season kicks off, Jackson sits nine scores behind Marshall Faulk for second place on the team’s rushing touch-down list and 11 behind Eric Dickerson. Rams Career Rushing TD Leaders
TD Marshall Faulk (1999-2005) 58 Eric Dickerson (1983-87) 56 Steven Jackson (2004- ) 47 Dan Towler (1050-55) 43 Dick Bass (1960-69) 34
RUSHING TOUCHDOWN HISTORY
RB Steven Jackson
Throughout his career RB Steven Jackson has shown the ability to catch passes out of the backfield and while lined up at receiver. In addition to leading the team in rushing last season, Jackson ranked third among Rams in receptions (46). With 327 career catches, Jackson ranks eighth in team history in the category.
Since 2006, Jackson has registered 265 receptions for 2,161 receiv-ing yards (8.2-yard average). Durreceiv-ing that time, Jackson’s 265 recep-tions and his 2,161 receiving yards rank among the best running backs. In 2006, Jackson registered career highs with 90 catches for 806 yards. The 90 catches rank sixth in NFL history in one season among running backs.
Receptions Leaders Among Running Backs, 2006-Present
Rec Yards Avg. Long TD
Reggie Bush / NO 294 2,142 7.3 74 12
Steven Jackson / STL 265 2,161 8.2 64t 5
Brian Westbrook / PHI-SF 262 2,203 8.4 62t 16
Frank Gore/SF 255 2,152 8.4 48 9
L. Tomlinson/SD-NYJ 240 1,931 8.0 51t 7
CATCHING ON
RB Steven Jackson dives for the end zone on touchdown reception. The catch was one of 327 in Jackson’s career.
RB Steven Jackson has shown the ability to contribute in the rushing game and in the receiving game. Since the start of the 2006 season, Jackson leads the NFL with 118.2 yards from scrimmage per game (minimum 50 games).
Since 2006, Jackson has 1,755 touches for 8,390 yards. His touches and scrim-mage yards are the most over that time period.
Last season, Jackson ranked third in the NFC and ninth in the NFL with 1,624 scrimmage yards.
In 2010, Jackson averaged 101.5 scrimmage yards per game, mark-ing the fifth consecutive season he’s averaged at least 100 yards from scrimmage per game. The streak dates back to his first year as an NFL starter in 2006. He averaged 145.9 scrimmage yards per game in 2006.
In 2006, Jackson recorded 2,334 yards from scrimmage, the fifth-highest single-season total in NFL history. That season Jackson rushed for 1,528 yards and 13 touchdowns on 346 attempts. He added 806 yards receiving on 90 catches. The 90 catches rank sixth in NFL history in one season among running backs.
Yards From Scrimmage/Game Leaders, 2006-Present
Games Touches Yards Yds/Game Steven Jackson / STL 71 1,755 8,390 118.2
Adrian Peterson / MIN* 61 1,317 6,952 114.0
Frank Gore / SF 70 1,499 7,958 113.7
L. Tomlinson / SD-NYJ 77 1,637 7,974 103.6
Brian Westbrook / PHI-SF 66 1,151 6,303 95.5
JACK OF ALL TRADES
RB Steven Jackson
A week after becoming the franchise’s all-time leading rusher, Steven Jackson made another move towards a signifi-cant Rams record.
With 64 total yards in Week 8 against Carolina (59 rushing, 4 receiving), Jackson passed WR Henry Ellard for fourth in franchise history in yards from scrimmage.
In Week 10, Jackson became the fourth Ram and 80th player in NFL his-tory to reach 10,000 career scrimmage yards. Last season, Jackson ranked third in the NFC and ninth in the NFL with 1,624 scrimmage yards.
Jackson now has 10,618 career scrimmage yards. Ellard, who played for the Rams from 1983-93 and later coached the team’s wide receivers, posted 9,816 total yards while wearing the horns.
Entering 2011, Jackson needs just 412 scrimmage yards to tie Marshall Faulk for third all time among Rams.
Rams All-Time Leaders, Yards From Scrimmage
Years Rushing Rec. Total
Isaac Bruce 1994-07 150 14,109 14,259 Torry Holt 1999-08 57 12,660 12,717 Marshall Faulk 1999-05 6,959 4,071 11,030 Steven Jackson 2004- 7,948 2,670 10,618 Henry Ellard 1983-93 55 9,761 9,816
MAKING HISTORY
RB Steven JacksonThroughout his career, RB Steven Jackson has been the definition of a “bell cow” back as he’s willingly carried a sizeable workload for the Rams. Last season was no exception, as few in the NFL handled the football more than Jackson.
SJ39’s 330 carries were second most in the NFL in 2010, trailing only Atlanta’s Michael Turner. In addition, Jackson caught 45 passes, which gave him 376 scrimmage touches, second most in the NFL. 2010 NFL Leaders, Total Touches
Rush Rec. Total Yards
Arian Foster / HOU 327 66 393 2,220
Steven Jackson / STL 330 46 376 1,624
Ray Rice / BAL 307 63 370 1,776
Chris Johnson / TEN 316 44 360 1,609
Cedric Benson/ CIN 321 28 349 1,289
A WORKHORSE BACK
RB Steven Jackson finished second in the NFL in carries and total touches as the Rams once again benefitted from his reliability.
QB Sam Bradford made his mark on the NFL record books with a spectacular season that turned out to be one of the best ever by a rookie quarterback.
Bradford set NFL rookie records for completions (354) and attempts (590), and his 3,512 passing yards in 2010 are the second most by a rookie in NFL history, trailing only Peyton Manning’s 3,739 in 1998. Bradford’s 18 touchdowns are tied for fifth most among rookies in NFL history.
The top overall pick in last year’s draft is one of just three rookie quarterbacks in NFL history to pass
for 3,000 yards in a season. During a midseason stretch, Bradford set an NFL rookie record with 174 consecutive attempts without an interception. Bradford was named Offensive Rookie of the Year by The Associated Press.
NFL Rookie Passing Records
Attempts Sam Bradford (2010) 590 Peyton Manning (1998) 575 Chris Weinke (2001) 540 Rick Mirer (1993) 486 David Carr (2002) 444 Completions Sam Bradford (2010) 354 Peyton Manning (1998) 326 Chris Weinke (2001) 293 Matt Ryan (2008) 265 Joe Flacco (2008) 257 Yards Peyton Manning (1998) 3,739 Sam Bradford (2010) 3,512 Matt Ryan (2008) 3,440 Joe Flacco (2008) 2,971 Chris Weinke (2001) 2,931 Touchdown Passes Peyton Manning (1998) 26 Charlie Conerly (1948) 22 Dan Marino (1983) 20 Jim Plunkett (1971) 19 Sam Bradford (2010) 18 Fran Tarkenton (1961) 18 Joe Namath (1965) 18
Sam Bradford, the top overall pick in last year’s draft, was the only rookie quarterback to start all 16 games in 2010. Bradford led the Rams to a 7-9 record while passing for 3,512 yards with 18 touch-downs and 15 interceptions.
Bradford is one of just a handful of NFL quarterbacks to start 16 games as a rookie. Below is a look at how Bradford fared in his first NFL campaign compared to other NFL signal callers who were first-round draft picks and played as rookies.
Significant NFL Rookie Starting Quarterbacks
Player Comp.% Yards TDs INTs Rating
Peyton Manning 56.7 3,739 26 28 71.2 Matt Ryan 61.1 3,440 16 11 87.7 Joe Flacco 60.0 2,971 14 12 80.3 Ben Roethlisberger 66.4 2,621 17 11 98.1 Sam Bradford 60.0 3,512 18 15 76.5
A ROOKIE NO MORE
QB Sam Bradford’s numbers during his rookie season compare favorably with other quarterbacks chosen in the first round in recent years.
During his standout rookie season, Rams QB Sam Bradford saw his name attached to numerous NFL rookie records. While proud of his statistical accomplish-ments, Bradford has always maintained that the win-loss column is really the only item he’s interested in tracking.
That being the case, Bradford did make an impact in his favorite statistic. His seven wins are the most by a rookie quarterback drafted number one overall since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Bradford took over a team that went 1-15 in 2009 and led the Rams to a 7-9 record.
Most Wins By a Rookie Quarterback Chosen #1 (Since 1970) Year Team Record
Sam Bradford 2010 Rams 7-9
Jeff George 1990 Colts 6-7
Jim Plunkett 1971 Patriots 6-8
Drew Bledsoe 1993 Patriots 5-7
John Elway 1983 Broncos 4-6
David Carr 2002 Texans 4-12
JUST WIN, BABY!
QB Sam Bradford
QB Sam Bradford
Rams QB Sam Bradford didn’t miss an offensive play last season, making him one of just three quarterbacks in the NFL to be on the field for all of his team’s snaps in 2010. Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning were the other two.
In addition, Bradford is one of just four rookie quarterbacks in NFL history to handle all of his team’s snaps in a 16 game season. The other three are Peyton Manning (1998), David Carr (2002) and Matt Ryan (2008).
IRON SAM
QB Sam Bradford
A YEAR TO REMEMBER
Turnovers can often tell the story in the NFL, and they certainly painted a big portion of the picture for the 2010 Rams.
St. Louis was 6-1 last season when they won the turnover battle. St. Louis committed just 21 turnovers this sea-son, tied for 8th fewest in the NFL. The Rams committed 33 in 2009. The Rams were aided by superb ball protection from their player who han-dles it most often. When RB Steven Jackson lost a fumble in Week 14 in New Orleans, it was his first lost
fum-ble in 562 touches. He’s lost just 14 fumfum-bles in 2,205 career touches. As a team, St. Louis lost just six fumbles in 2010, tied for the second fewest in the NFL on the year.
TURNOVER STORY
QB Sam Bradford and C Jason Brown
Last season, the Rams’ offense made great strides in the most important statistical category, which led to the team winning six more games than it did in 2009.
Although St. Louis had no significant changes at the wide receiver, tight end and running back positions, the Rams scored 114 more points in 2010 than they did in 2009, an increase of 7.2 points per game.
The jump was a significant one for St. Louis. Among NFL teams, only Oakland experienced a greater increase in points scored in 2010. Biggest Differential in Points Scored from 2009-2010
2009 2010 Difference
Oakland Raiders 197 410 +213
St. Louis Rams 175 289 +114
Detroit Lions 262 362 +100
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 244 341 +97
New England Patriots 427 518 +91
OFFENSE ON THE RISE
One year removed from allowing 44 sacks, the Rams kept their quarter-back upright at a much better rate in 2010.
Sam Bradford was dropped by oppo-nents just 34 times last season. The 10-sack decrease was the sixth-best improvement in the NFL over 2009 team totals.
Making the single-year improvement more impressive is the fact that the team accomplished the feat with both a rookie quarterback and rookie left tackle in Rodger Saffold. The team’s starting right tackle,
second-year pro Jason Smith, entered the season with just five career starts under his belt.
No team in the NFL had fewer combined starts at the right tackle, left tackle and quarterback position than the Rams did going into 2010, yet St. Louis still enjoyed an increase of 7.2 points per game offensively.
The Rams finished the season ranked 12th in the NFL in sacks per pass play at 5.76 percent, a dramatic improvement over their 8.1 rate in 2009, which ranked 25th in the NFL.
A leading cause for the offensive line’s success was its consistent health and continuity. St. Louis’ five opening day starters on the offensive line combined to miss just one start in 2010.
Biggest single-year sacks allowed differential from 2009-2010
Team 2009 2010 Differential
Kansas City Chiefs 42 22 -20
Detroit Lions 43 26 -17
New York Giants 32 16 -16
Buffalo Bills 46 30 -16
Green Bay Packers 51 36 -15
St. Louis Rams 44 34 -10
PROTECTION PLAN
T Jason Smith
QB Sam Bradford and RB Steven Jackson combined to help the Rams become one of the NFL’s most improved offenses in the NFL last season.
Rams General Manager Billy Devaney was promoted to his current post prior to the 2009 season, and in three short years, he’s put his handprint on a ros-ter that helped St. Louis become one of the NFL’s most improved teams a year ago.
Devaney’s first two drafts as the team’s G.M. produced five current starters - QB Sam Bradford and LT Rodger Saffold from 2010 and RT Jason Smith, CB Bradley Fletcher and MLB James Laurinaitis from 2009. In addition, Devaney oversaw the
signing of 14 of the team’s current starters via free agency, a group that is highlighted by RG Harvey Dahl, DTs Fred Robbins and Justin Bannan, C Jason Brown and OLBs Ben Leber and Brady Poppinga. Another Rams starter, WR Brandon Gibson, was acquired by Devaney via trade.
Devaney enters his 27th NFL season and has been a part of three teams that have reached the Super Bowl, including the Super Bowl XXII champion Washington Redskins.
BUILDING A WINNER
Pressure on the quarterback has always been a trademark of a Steve Spagnuolo defense, and the Rams were among the NFL’s best at getting to the passer in 2010.
The Rams recorded 43 sacks on the season as a team, which ranked seventh in the NFL. St. Louis saw a dramatic improvement last season when it comes to reaching the opposing quarterback. In 2009, the club ranked 30th in the NFL with 25 sacks. No team in the NFL experienced a bigger increase in sacks last season than the Rams’ 18. Detroit also enjoyed an 18-sack increase, while Kansas City (+17) and the New York Giants improved by 14 sacks.
St. Louis was paced by DE James Hall, who in his 11th NFL season turned in his second highest total of his career. Hall led the team with 10.5, followed by DE Chris Long with 8.5.
2010 NFL Leaders, Team Sacks
Team Sacks
1. Pittsburgh Steelers 48
2t. Green Bay Packers 47
2t. Oakland Raiders 47
2t. San Diego Chargers 47
5. New York Giants 46
6. Detroit Lions 44
7. St. Louis Rams 43
8t. New York Jets 40
8t. Tennessee Titans 40
10. Three tied 39
SACK ATTACK
DE James Hall drops Philip Rivers for one of his two sacks in Week 6. Hall had two of St. Louis’ seven sacks in the team’s win over San Diego, and the Rams had 43 as a team in 2010. The Rams’ ability to get off
the field on third down defen-sively was a crucial part of their success in 2010. St. Louis finished the season ranked second in the NFL on third down as opponents converted just 33.5 percent against the Rams.
In Week 16, the 49ers con-verted just 4-of-16 (25 pct.) on third down, and in the Rams’
first meeting with San Francisco last season, St. Louis held the 49ers to 0-of-11 on third down. The Rams’ performances against San Francisco was one of many strong ones by the Rams when it came to third down defense.
Their Week 13 win in Arizona, one that saw the Cardinals convert just 1-of-11 (9 pct.) on third down, marked the fourth time in 2010 that they held their opponent to 12 percent or less on third down. In Week 4, Seattle converted just 4-of-15 on third down (27 pct.) and was 0-for-6 in the second half.
In Week 12 at Denver, the Broncos were just 1-of-9 on third down (11 pct.). Steve Spagnuolo’s defense held Washington to 1-for-10 (10 pct.) on third-down conversions in Week 3.
2010 NFL Leaders, Third Down Defense
Team Conversion %
1. New York Giants 31.7
2. St. Louis Rams 33.5
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 33.5
4. San Diego Chargers 33.7
5. New Orleans Saints 34.5
6. Chicago Bears 34.7
7. Oakland Raiders 34.9
8. Washington Redskins 35.0
9. Green Bay Packers 36.2
10. New York Jets 37.0
GET OFF THE FIELD!
S Craig Dahl and DE C.J. Ah You stop Knowshon Moreno short of the marker on third down in Denver.
Steve Spagnuolo’s swarming defense saw an increase in takeaways last season, which played a major factor in each of the team’s seven wins. St. Louis finished the season with 26 takeaways, which was six more than the Rams had in 2009. Rams defenders intercepted eight passes in 2009 and had 14 in their second season under Spagnuolo. The Rams forced 19 fumbles as well, which was the fifth most in the NFL according to StatsPass.com.
Two weeks ago in their preseason opener, the Rams recorded three interceptions which led to a touchdown and two field goals in their 33-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
St. Louis finished the year plus-5 in turnover ratio, which was 10th best in the NFL. In 2009, the Rams finished the season tied for 30th with a minus-13 turnover ratio, a plus-18 swing in turnover ratio.
TAKE IT AWAY
S Craig Dahl
The Rams were one of the stingiest teams in the NFL when it came to protecting their end zone in 2010.
St. Louis gave up just 32 total touchdowns in 2010, tied for fourth fewest in the NFL. Opponents scored just seven rushing touchdowns against the Rams, which was also tied for the fourth fewest in the league. The Rams have allowed just one touch-down in each of their first two preseason games.
NFL Leaders, Fewest Touchdowns Allowed
TDs Allowed 1. Pittsburgh Steelers 22
2. Green Bay Packers 24
3. Baltimore Ravens 27
4t. St. Louis Rams 32
4t. Chicago Bears 32
4t. New Orleans Saints 32
4t. Tennessee Titans 32
8. Atlanta Falcons 35
9t. Four teams tied 36
ACCESS DENIED
LB James Laurinaitis led all NFL rookie linebackers in tackles in 2009, and he followed up his stellar rookie campaign with a strong perfor-mance in his sophomore NFL season. Laurinaitis led St. Louis with 129 stops last season and became the first Ram since Pisa Tinoisoma to record 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons.
Laurinaitis rarely came off the field as he played in a team-high 1,093 snaps in 2010, and his ability to help in the passing game was a huge asset for the Rams. The former Ohio State Buckeye had seven passes defensed, one interception and three sacks on the year. Among Rams, only starting cornerbacks Ron Bartell (13) and Bradley Fletcher (12) had more pass breakups.
On Denver’s final drive in Week 12, the Broncos targeted TE Daniel Graham deep down the field, but Laurinaitis got a hand in and knocked the ball loose to help preserve the victory. In Week 8, he ended Carolina’s opening possession with an interception.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Linebacker James Laurinaitis enjoyed another productive season as he led the Rams in tackles and made numerous plays in the passing game while rarely leaving the field.
DE James Hall’s 11th NFL season was one of his best for the vet-eran leader of St. Louis’ defense. He led the team with 10.5 sacks on the year and has also recorded 57 tackles, including two for loss. Hall also led the Rams and tied for second in the NFL with six forced fumbles in 2010.
In the Rams’ Week 16 win over San Francisco, Hall recorded 2.0 sacks in a game for the third time last season. His other two came in Week 4 against Seattle and Week 6 versus San Diego.
Hall now has 57.0 career sacks. His 10.5 sacks was his second-highest single season total of his career (11.5 in 2004). He finished the season ranked ninth in the NFC in sacks.
A HALL OF A PLAYER
DE James Hall had 10.5 sacks in 2010, which was his second-best season total of his 11-year career. He’s seen here sacking Donovan McNabb in Week 3.
Both offensively and defensively, the Rams were among the league’s best last season when it came to short yardage situations.
On offense, St. Louis converted an 80.8 percent of its 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-1 opportunities, the second highest mark in the NFL. The league average was 65.8 percent.
Defensively, the Rams allowed oppo-nents to convert just 53.8 percent of such situations, third best in the NFL and well above the league average of 65.8 percent.
SHORT YARDAGE SUCCESS
DT Fred Robbins
Defensively, the Rams were among the most improved teams in the NFL in 2010.
St. Louis finished in the top 10 in the league in sacks (7th), third down defense (2nd) and total touchdowns allowed (4t). In addition, the Rams experienced significant increases over 2009 in several key areas. St. Louis ranked 12th in points per game allowed (20.5) after finishing 31st a year earlier (27.3). In all, the Rams allowed 108 fewer points in 2010 than they did in 2009.
The Rams improved 10 spots in total defense as they ranked 19th in 2010 after finishing 29th in ‘09, and they ranked 17th against the run (113.1 yards per game), compared to 27th in 2009 (137.6).
MARKED IMPROVEMENT
Defensive Coordinator Ken Flajole The Rams defense showed vast
improvement in several areas last sea-son, and one of the biggest statistical jumps St. Louis made came in opponent passer rating.
After finishing 31st in the NFL in 2009 as opposing passers posted a 96.9 rating against the Rams, Steve Spagnuolo’s group was 9th in the league in the cat-egory in 2010. Opponents’ passer rating against St. Louis was 80.4.
The drop off came in large part to a pass
rush that finished seventh in the NFL in sacks. Also, only six teams allowed fewer touchdown passes than the Rams last season, which had a big impact on opponents’ ratings.
NFL Leaders, Fewest Touchdowns Allowed
Opp. Rating
1. Green Bay Packer 67.2
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 73.1
3. Chicago Bears 74.4
4. San Diego Chargers 76.2
5. Baltimore Ravens 76.4
6. New York Jets 77.1
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 77.6
8. Atlanta Falcons 78.1
9. St. Louis Rams 80.4
PASSING THE TEST
In his first season with the Rams, WR Danny Amendola set new team records in the return game. In year two in St. Louis for Amendola, he became a key component of the offense as well. Amendola led the Rams with 85 receptions for 689 yards in 2010. He finished ninth in the NFL and fifth in the NFC in catches last season. He also averaged 11.3 yards per punt return.
In 2009, his first season on an NFL roster, Amendola caught 43 passes for 326 yards in 14 games. He surpassed both totals by midseason in 2010 and added three touchdowns as well.
In addition, Amendola was one of the league’s best on third down. His 29 receptions on third down were third most in the NFL in 2010. 2010 NFL Leaders, Third-Down Receptions
Third Down Rec.
1. Roddy White, ATL 36
2. Stevie Johnson, BUF 30
3. Danny Amendola, STL 29
4t. Davone Bess, MIA 28
4t. Kellen Winslow, TB 28
4t. Jason Witten, DAL 28
The former Texas Tech Red Raider led the NFL in all-purpose yard-age in 2010 with 2,364 yards. Amendola was the only player in the league to lead his team in punt return, kick return, and receiving yardage.
Amendola’s 85 catches this season ranked 13th in Rams history for a single season. He’s caught at least one pass in every game since joining the Rams in Week 2 of the 2009 season, a streak of 30 consecutive games with a reception.
DE Chris Long enjoyed a breakout season in 2010, his third NFL cam-paign, and he hopes for an even more productive year in 2011. Long posted a career-high 8.5 sacks on the season and recorded at least 1.0 sack in seven of his last 11 games. Additionally, he led the Rams with 16 quarterback hits and 21 pres-sures according to Rams’ coaches. According to StatsPass.com, Long was credited with 36 combined quar-terback hits and knockdowns, which tied with Seahawks DE Chris Clemons for the ninth most in the NFL last season.
In Week 6 against San Diego, Long turned in his first two-sack perfor-mance of the season and second of his career. For his efforts, Long was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
LONG ON TALENT
DE Chris Long
DANDY DANNY
WR/PR Danny Amendola gave the Rams a boost on offense and in the kicking game in 2010. His 85-catch performance was one of the best in team history.
The Rams’ opening day roster features 11 veteran free agents, and they can only hope they’ll make the impact that DT Fred Robbins did as a new addition last year.
Robbins set a new career high with 6.0 sacks on the season and had a big impact on the Rams defense. He held off blockers to allow James Laurinaitis to run free, and his pass rush acumen drew the attention of opposing offenses and helped his defensive line mates. Among NFC defensive tackles, only Ndamukong Suh (10) and Cullen Jenkins (7) had more sacks last season than Robbins’ 6. Saints DT Sedrick Ellis also had 6.
On the season, Robbins had 24 total tackles, including four for loss, eight quarterback hits and seven passes defensed. He was a big reason why the Rams saw a big improvement against the run and on third down.
Robbins came to the Rams after six seasons with the New York Giants. During two of those seasons, Steve Spagnuolo was the Giants’ defensive coordinator. It’s no coincidence that those two campaigns were perhaps the best of Robbins’ career as he tied his previous career high in sacks (5.5) in each of those seasons and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2008. He played a key role in New York’s run to their Super Bowl XLII championship.
A BIG ADDITION
Rams DT Fred Robbins drops Seattle RB Justin Forsett for a loss. After joining St. Louis as a free agent last spring, Robbins made a big impact on a much-improved Rams defense in 2010.
WR Brandon Gibson set new career highs last season with 53 receptions for 620 yards. Both totals ranked sec-ond among Rams. He looks to build on those totals as he enters his third NFL campaign and second full season with the Rams.
The Rams are hopeful that Gibson pro-vides a big-play spark this season. In the team’s second preseason game against the Titans, Gibson caught an 83-yard touchdown pass from QB Sam Bradford
on the first play from scrimmage. It was the longest preseason play from scrimmage since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995.
GIBSON’S GRABS
Midway through the season, Rams RB Steven Jackson and K Josh Brown showed up to practice wearing blue t-shirts that read, “Vote Don Jones for Pro Bowl 2010.” The shirts were special ordered by team-mate Hank Fraley as Rams players voiced their opinion on which punter should repre-sent the NFC in Hawaii.
Jones was eventually named an alternate to the All-Star game after another strong season. He finished eighth in the NFL and fourth in the NFC with a gross punting average of 45.5 yards per kick. He also
ranked third in the NFL and second in the NFC in net punting aver-age (40.0).
Jones’ specialty is pinning opponents deep in their own territory. He tied for fifth in the NFL with 32 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line last season.
In Week 10 in San Francisco, Jones turned in perhaps his most impressive single game performance of his career. He punted 10 times for a 43.7 average and didn’t allow a single punt to be returned, making him the only punter in the NFL last season to produce a game with 0 return yards on nine or more punts.
The Rams signed Jones as a restricted free agent prior to the 2007 season, and during his time in St. Louis, Jones ranks second among NFL punters in gross and net average.
NFL Leaders in Gross Punting Avg., 2007-present Gross Avg.
1. Shane Lechler, OAK 49.1
2t. Donnie Jones, STL 47.3
2t. Andy Lee, SF 47.2
4. Mat McBriar 46.9
5. Mike Scifres 45.9
NFL Leaders in Net Punting Avg., 2007-present
Net Avg.
1. Shane Lechler, OAK 41.8
2. Donnie Jones, STL 40.6
3. Andy Lee, SF 39.9
4. Matt McBriar, DAL 39.9
5. Dustin Colquitt, KC 39.2
*Min. 120 punts
KICKING IT
P Donnie Jones K Josh Brown is among the NFL’s best
when it comes to kicking from long dis-tance.
In the Rams’ preseason opener vs. Indianapolis, Brown hit a 60-yard kick on the last play of the first half, which would have set new personal and team records had it come in the regular season. Brown’s career long is 58 yards, while Jeff Wilkins holds the Rams record of 57.
Brown was a perfect 6-for-6 on field goal
attempts in the preseason, including a 42-yard game-winning kick on the final play of regulation against Tennessee.
Brown hit six field goals of 50-plus yards in 2008 and 2009, tying the team record for most field goals from 50-plus in a season. His 2008 and ‘09 seasons are tied with Tony Zendejas for most 50-yard field goals in a season in team history.
Brown now ranks sixth in NFL history in successful field goal tries from 50 yards or more. Of the five players who rank ahead of Brown - Jason Hanson (45), Morten Andersen (40), John Kasay (40), Jason Elam (39) and Sebastian Janikowski (29) - all but Janikowski played at least nine more seasons than Brown. Janikowski entered the NFL three seasons before Brown.
Since entering the NFL in 2003, Brown has made 28 field goals from 50-plus yards, most among active kickers during that time. His 68.3 percentage on field goals of 50 yards or more is second best since ‘03.
Most 50+ yard Field Goals Since 2003 (active kickers)
50+ FG Pct. Josh Brown 28 68.3 Sebastian Janikowski 25 52.1 Jason Hanson 24 70.6 John Kasay 19 51.4 Neil Rackers 19 50.0
Brown set a new career high with 33 field goals made in 2010, passing his previous best of 31 in 2008. Brown scored 125 points as well, third best in the NFC and sixth in the NFL among kickers.
DOWN TOWN JOSH BROWN
K Josh Brown
WR Danny Amendola led the Rams in receiving in 2010, and his versatility also served St. Louis well in the return game. Amendola averaged 11.3 yards per punt return last season, sixth best in the NFC and 12th best in the NFL.
He gave the Rams a big-play boost and helped the club gain advantageous field position. Amendola had seven punt returns of 20 yards or more last season, second only to Chicago’s Devin Hester, who finished the year with nine.
In just two seasons, Amendola ranks fourth in Rams history in kick-off return yards (2,760), ninth in punt return yards (812) and third in combined return yards (3,572).
RETURN TO SENDER
WR/PR Danny Amendola In 2009, CB Bradley Fletcher’s rookie
season was off to a bang before a torn ACL and LCL ended it seven games in. After an exhaustive offseason of rehab, Fletcher bounced back and earned the starting right cornerback job in 2010. Fletcher led the Rams with four intercep-tions, finished third on the club in tackles (91) and second in passes defensed (12). Fletcher’s road back wasn’t an easy one. He underwent an operation to reconstruct
his LCL. After rehabbing from his first surgery, he again went under the knife, this time to repair and reconstruct his ACL. Still, Fletcher made it back to the field for the start of 2010 training camp and was a huge asset to the Rams. For his efforts, Fletcher’s teammates named him the club’s Ed Block Courage Award winner.
FLETCH BOUNCES BACK
Last April, the Rams were thrilled to find Indiana T Rodger Saffold available at the top of the second round. St. Louis chose Saffold with the 33rd overall pick and quickly inserted him in the starting lineup. Saffold started all 16 games in 2010, making the former Hoosier the only rookie left tackle to start every game for his team last season. According to Statspass.com, Saffold allowed only 3.5 sacks all season while playing for a team that tied for the fifth most passing attempts.
Saffold was the fifth offensive tackle and seventh offensive lineman taken in the 2010 draft.
FRONT AND CENTER
C Jason Brown has anchored theRams’ offensive line since his arrival in the spring of 2009, and he’s been a model of consistency throughout his six NFL seasons.
Brown started all 16 games last sea-son and has started 76 consecutive contests, which is the sixth-longest longest active streak among NFL cen-ters. Brown hasn’t missed a start since entering the Ravens’ starting lineup in 2006, his second NFL season.
During his career, Brown has blocked for three different 1,000-yard rush-ers: Steven Jackson (1,416 in 2009
and 1,241 in 2010), Jamal Lewis (1,132 in 2006) and Willis McGahee (1,207 in 2007). Brown was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2009.
C Jason Brown
BLOCK PARTY
T Rodger Saffold
The Edward Jones Dome was kind to the Rams last season as the team enjoyed a “dome field advantage” that helped St. Louis finish with a 5-3 record at home in 2010.
Opponents averaged just 17.6 points per game at the Edward Jones Dome, giving the Rams’ defense the eighth best total in the NFL at home last season. St. Louis held its opponents to 17 points or less in six of its eight home games last season, including each of the first five.
Of the Rams’ 43 sacks last season, 24 came with the help of their home crowd, tied for the fourth best total in the NFL.
DOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo celebrates a home victory with his team.
When Steve Spagnuolo went in search of a new offensive coordina-tor this spring, his mind immediately went to a man whom Spagnuolo found among the most difficult in the NFL to game plan against. That led to the hiring of Josh McDaniels, who matched wits against Spagnuolo in Super Bowl XLII when Spagnuolo and the Giants defeated McDaniels’ Patriots.
Wherever McDaniels has been, his offense has produced. During McDaniels’ first season in Denver, QB Kyle Orton set career highs for pass attempts, completions, passing yards, touchdown passes and passer rating while tying his career low for interceptions.
In 2010, the Broncos ranked seventh in the NFL in passing yards per game and finished 13th in total yards per game. WR Brandon Lloyd led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,448 and finished second in the AFC with 11 touchdown catches en route to his first Pro Bowl invitation.
Under McDaniels’ tutelage, 2007 NFL MVP Tom Brady broke the NFL record for touchdown passes in a season (50) and led the league in both passing yards (4,806) and passer rating (117.2). Brady also set franchise marks in nearly every major passing cat-egory, while WR Wes Welker set the franchise record for receptions in a season (112) and WR Randy Moss broke the NFL record for touchdown receptions with 23.
McDANIELS: I’M LOVING IT
Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo and Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels chat during a recent training camp practice at the Russell Training Center.
The Rams signed 24 undrafted rookie free agents this summer, and from that group, LS Jake McQuaide made the team’s Week 1 roster. McQuaide, a former Ohio State Buckeye, won the team’s long snap-ping job in training camp.
Current Rams WR Dominique Curry and S Darian Stewart made the opening day roster after joining the team as undrafted rookie free agents last year. Other current Rams such as S James Butler, OL Adam Goldberg, DT Gary Gibson and S Craig Dahl are among dozens of current NFL
players who have experienced success after going undrafted. In recent years, players such as Cowboys WR Miles Austin, Chargers TE Antonio Gates, Browns QB Jake Delhomme, Steelers LB James Harrison and Rams QB Kurt Warner entered the NFL as undrafted free agents and made the Pro Bowl.
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
2011 RAMS VETERAN FREE AGENTS
DT Justin Bannan G Harvey Dahl CB Al HarrisDT Justin Bannan
6-3, 310 - 10th NFL season
2010 Team: Broncos
- Started all 16 games for Denver last sea-son, posting 35 tackles with a sack, a forced fumble and four passes defended.
- Has totalled 237 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception in nine NFL seasons.
G Harvey Dahl
6-5, 305 - 6th NFL season
2010 Team: Falcons
- Has started 43 games at right guard over the past three seasons. In his fi rst season as a starter, the Falcons ranked sixth in the NFL in total offense and second in rushing. - In each of his three seasons as a starter, the Falcons ranked in the top 10 in fewest sacks per pass play.
CB Al Harris
6-1, 190 - 14th NFL season
2010 Team: Packers, Dolphins
- Two-time Pro Bowler who was an alternate for three years before getting an overdue invite to Hawaii.
- Boasts 21 career INTs, 470 tkl and 4 sacks; played for Steve Spagnuolo with the Eagles.
LB Ben Leber
LB Ben Leber
6-3, 244 - 10th NFL season
2010 Team: Vikings
- Has started 111 of 136 career games and logged 483 tackles, 12 FFs & 5 INTs. - Was a starter on the NFL’s top-ranked run defense each season from 2005-08.
RB Jerious Norwood LB Brady Poppinga WR Mike Sims-Walker
RB Jerious Norwood
5-11, 209 - 5th NFL season
2010 Team: Falcons
- Has averaged 5.3 yards per attempt and returned kicks for an average of 25.5 yards per try throughout his career.
- Also averaged 9.5 yards per reception dur-ing fi ve NFL seasons.
LB Brady Poppinga
6-3, 250 - 7th season
2010 Team: Packers
- Started 39 games over a three-year period with the Packers from 2006 through 2008. - Has been a standout special teams per-former throughout his career.
WR Mike Sims-Walker
6-2, 214 - 5th season
2010 Team: Jaguars
- Career totals include 122 rec. for 1,648 yards and 14 TDs and has caught 7 TD passes in each of last two seasons. - In 2009, he recorded career highs with 68 catches for 869.
RB Cadillac Williams
5-11, 204 - 6th NFL season
2010 Team: Buccaneers
- Boasts career average of 3.8 yards per car-ry and has scored 20 rushing touchdowns. - 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,178 and 6 touchdowns. RB Cadillac Williams
S Quintin Mikell
S Quintin Mikell
5-10, 203 - 9th NFL season
2010 Team: Eagles
- Earned his fi rst Pro Bowl bid in 2009 after racking up 90 tackles, 13 passes defended and a pair of interceptions.
- - Career totals include up 444 tkls., 4.0 sacks, 46 PDs, 10 INTs, 7 FFs & 7 FRs.
2011 RAMS DRAFT PICKS
DE Robert Quinn TE Lance Kendricks WR Austin Pettis WR Greg Salas S Jermale Hines LB Jabara WilliamsDE Robert Quinn
D1 (14) - North Carolina
- Racked up 86 tackles, 13 sacks, 25.5 tack-les for loss and eight forced fumbtack-les in just 25 games at North Carolina.
- Had a breakthrough season in 2009 when he was fi rst team All Atlantic Coast Confer-ence as he fi nished second for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
- As a sophomore, posted 52 tackles and 11 sacks in 13 games starting at right defensive end.
TE Lance Kendricks
D2 (47) - Wisconsin
- Enjoyed a breakout season in 2009, start-ing nine games and fi nishstart-ing with 29 catches for 356 yards and three touchdowns.
- Had his best season in 2010 as a senior, hauling in 43 catches for 663 yards and fi ve touchdowns on his way to being a fi nalist for the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end.
- Played a key role in Wisconsin running game that was second in the Big 10 and 13th nationally in rushing last season.
WR Austin Pettis
D3 (78) - Boise State
- Played in 51 games with 229 receptions for 2,838 yards and an astounding 39 touch-downs.
- His receptions total is fi rst in school history, while his yardage total is second. His 39 touchdowns is also fi rst in Broncos’ history and is third in Western Athletic Conference annals.
- Was fi rst team all conference two consecu-tive seasons to cap his producconsecu-tive college career.
WR Greg Salas
D4 (112) - Hawaii
- Started 40 of his 49 games, posting 285 catches for 4,345 yards and 26 touchdowns. - Reception total ranks third in WAC records and 15th in NCAA history. Receiving yardage total places him fi rst in school history, third in WAC annals and tied for sixth in NCAA history.
- Caught 119 passes for 1,889 yards and 14 touchdowns on his way to third-team All American status in 2010.
S Jermale Hines
D5 (158) - Ohio State
- Began his career on the weak side at line-backer; played in 11 games as a sophomore after moving to nickel back and was part of one of the nation’s best defenses.
- Emerged as one of the nation’s most touted safeties as a senior, earning All Big Ten honors as he started 12 games as he fi nished with the third most tackles (66) and an interception.
LB Jabara Williams
D7b (228) - Stephen F. Austin
- Was a two-time All American and two time all Southland Conference selection at linebacker.
- Named 2010 SLC Defensive Player of the Year honor.
- Finished his college career with more than 400 tackles including 108 as a senior. - Played in some games as a running back as a freshman, averaging 5 yards per carry.
PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN
QUARTERBACKS
WR Danny Amendola
8 Sam Bradford – Completed 354-of-590 passes (60.0 pct.) for 3,512 yards and 18 touchdowns to earn AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Ranks third in NFL history in passing yards by a rookie (3,065). Top overall pick in April’s Draft won 2008 Heisman Trophy and holds Oklahoma records for career passing yards (8,403), touchdown passes (88) and completion percentage (67.64). 4 A.J. Feeley – Experienced veteran who has spent time as a starter and reserve throughout his 10-year NFL career. Has an extensive history with Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo from his time in Philadelphia with the coaches. Has passed for 4,070 yards with 27 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.
RUNNING BACKS
39 Steven Jackson – Three-time Pro Bowler finished the 2010 season with 1,241 yards rush-ing on 330 carries and scored six touchdowns. Also contributed heavily in the passrush-ing game, havrush-ing caught 46 passes for 383 yards. Gained 61 yards from scrimmage against Atlanta to give him 10,048 career scrimmage yards, making him the fourth player in team history to reach 10,000 yards from scrimmage. Passed RB Eric Dickerson (7,245) to become the Rams all-time leading rusher with 7,324 career yards on a 3-yard gain in the second quarter at Tampa Bay and finished the game with 110 yards on 22 carries.
49 Brit Miller – Finished second among Rams in special teams tackles in 2010 despite spending just nine weeks on the active roster.
39 Jerious Norwood – Speedy running back and returner signed with St. Louis in August after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Falcons. Has averaged 5.3 yards per rush and returned kicks for an average of 25.5 yards per try throughout his career. Also averaged 9.5 yards per reception.
33 Carnell “Cadillac” Williams – Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer boasts career average of 3.8 yards per carry and has scored 20 rushing touchdowns. Named 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,178 and 6 touchdowns.
WIDE RECEIVERS
84 Danario Alexander – Finished rookie season in 2010 with 20 receptions for 306 yards and one touchdown. Led the Rams with four receptions for 72 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown pass from Sam Bradford that gave the Rams a 10-0 lead in the first half, in his Rams debut against San Diego.
16 Danny Amendola – Led the Rams with 85 receptions and 689 yards in 2010 and scored three touchdowns. Averaged 22.8 yards on 50 kick returns. Ranked third in the NFL with 29 catches on third down this season.
15 Dominique Curry – Special teams standout made Rams roster in 2010 as an undrafted free agent. Suffered season-ending knee injury in Week 3 win over Washington.
11 Brandon Gibson – Had 53 receptions for 620 yards and scored two touchdowns in 2010. Scored his first touchdown of the season and second of his career when he hauled in a 15-yard touch-down pass that gave the Rams a 7-0 lead against Seattle in Week 4.
83 Austin Pettis – Rams third-round pick played in 51 games at Boise State with 229 receptions for 2,838 yards and an astounding 39 touchdowns. Holds school records for yards and touchdown catches.
87 Greg Salas – Fourth-round pick played in 49 games at Hawaii, posting 285 catches for 4,345 yards and 26 touchdowns. Reception total ranks third in WAC records and 15th in NCAA his-tory. Receiving yardage total places him fi rst in school history, third in WAC annals and tied for sixth in NCAA history.
10 Mike Sims-Walker – Signed with the Rams in August as an unrestricted free agent. Career totals include 122 rec. for 1,648 yards and 14 TDs and has caught 7 TD passes in each of last two seasons.
QB Sam Bradford
RB Steven Jackson
FB Mike Karney
