RAMS LOOK TO REBOUND IN WEEK 2 AT REDSKINS
Sunday, September 20, 2009, FedEx Field, Noon (CDT)

After dropping a Week 1 contest to the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams aim to rebound this weekend at the Washington Redskins.

The contest will mark the second consecutive year that the Rams have faced the Redskins at FedEx Field. Last season, the Rams defeated the Redskins, 19-17, in Week 6 (10/12/08). The win was the Rams first of the season and S Oshiomogho Atogwe played a large role in the victory.
Late in the second quarter, with the Rams trailing 7-3, Atogwe recovered a Redskins’ fumble and raced 75 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. The touchdown gave the Rams a 10-3 halftime lead. Atogwe was awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.

The Rams and Redskins have met 29 times in the regular season and four times during the postseason, dating to 1937 when the Rams were in Cleveland. The Redskins lead the all-time regular season series, 20-8-1, but the Rams have won the last two meetings between the teams (2006, 2008). The past two meetings have been decided by eight total points. In 2006, the Rams won 37-31 in overtime and last season the Rams needed a Josh Brown field goal as time expired to defeat the Redskins, 19-17.

Passing

M. Bulger
Rams
191 yards

Rushing

S. Jackson
Rams
67 yards

Receiving

L. Robinson
Rams
87 yards

Passing

J. Campbell
Redskins
211 yards

Rushing

C. Portis
Redskins
62 yards

Receiving

A. Randel El
Redskins
98 yards

After recording 12 takeaways and producing a plus-nine turnover differential in the preseason (first in the NFL), the Rams defense continued the trend in the first regular season game at Seattle (9/13). The Rams defense recorded three takeaways (two interceptions and a fumble recovery) and finished plus-two in turnover differential vs. the Seahawks. The plus-two turnover differential is tied for fourth in the NFL after Week 1.

The Rams success at creating turnovers is a dramatic change from 2008. During the 2008 preseason, the Rams registered one takeaway and finished the 2008 regular season minus-five in turnover differential (24th in the NFL).

“The turnover ratio is the No. 1 correlating stat to wins and losses,” says Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo.

And there’s proof to back up Spagnuolo. Last season, the top five teams with the best turnover differential – Miami, Tennessee, Baltimore, the New York Giants and Indianapolis – made the playoffs with at least 11 wins and combined for a 59-21 record (.738).

4th Quarter

- Poised to take the lead in the fourth quarter, disaster struck the Rams. An offense that had taken care of the ball all day, lost it when Avery caught a potential third down conversion and coughed it up when Chris Horton forced a fumble. Carlos Rogers recovered for the Redskins at their 7, where they took over.

- The defense was able to get a stop as a James Hall sack forced Washington to punt from its own end zone.

- The Rams picked up 8 yards on the first two plays but an incompletion on third down led to a Rams punt.

- Washington took over at its 20 and pieced together a long, time consuming drive deep into St. Louis territory, including a fourth-down conversion at the Rams’ 20.

- On fourth-and-short from the Rams’ 2, Washington opted to go for it again.

- This time, the Rams got a stop and got the ball at their 4.

- But the Rams had four consecutive incompletions and Washington regained possession.

- The Redskins got in victory formation and ran the clock out for a 9-7 win.

3rd Quarter

- The Rams received the opening kickoff of the half hoping to maintain momentum gained at the end of the first.

- After a 13-yard strike to Robinson on first down, Bulger threw three straight incompletions and the Rams punted. Washington took over at its 21.

- The Redskins managed a trio of first downs, including another third down conversion to Moss.

- On third-and-10 at Washington’s 47, Campbell hit Cooley for yet another conversion, this time for 18 yards.

- Again Washington marched deep into Rams territory and the St. Louis defense found a way to force another field goal.

- Suisham converted this one from 23 yards out to make it 9-7 Washington with 6:27 to go in the quarter.

- The Rams have responded with a long drive of their own, one that’s still going after some key conversions, including a second-and-25.

- At the end of the third quarter, the Redskins lead the Rams 9-7 and the Rams have the ball at Washington’s 21.

2nd Quarter

- The Rams’ drive stalled after a second down sack and they had to punt it back to Washington. The Redskins took over at their 26.

- Again, Washington was able to march it down the field, converting a third-and-10 in Rams territory when Campbell hit Santana Moss for a gain of 21 yards. The Rams again came up with a hold, as Washington settled for a 28-yard field goal from Suisham to make it 6-0 Washington with 7:58 to go in the half.

- The Rams offense found the spark it needed on second down of its ensuing possession as Jackson snaked through a hole on the right side and raced for a gain of 62 yards. A block in the back on Avery cost them 10 yards but gave the Rams a first down at Washington’s 36.

- The Rams picked up another first down on a completion to McMichael for 7 yards and a penalty.

- That helped set up a third-and-3 for the Rams at Washington’s 17.

- Jackson passed Dick Bass for fourth on the team’s all time rushing yards list.

- Bulger hit Robinson for a key third down conversion to give the Rams a first down at Washington’s 5.

- On third down, Bulger hit Robinson again with a fade pattern to the left corner of the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown to give the Rams their first lead of the season with 3:56 to go in the half at 7-6.

- The defense got a stop when Ron Bartell forced a fumble and recovered it. The play was originally ruled down but a booth review overturned it and the Rams went to the locker room with a 7-6 lead.

1st Quarter

- The Redskins won the toss and elected to receive. The Rams, in the blue jerseys with gold pants, are set to kick off.

- The Rams defense did its duty, getting a three and out as Jonathan Wade broke up a deep pass on first down and a completion to Malcolm Kelly fell 1 yard short. The Rams take over at their 28.

- Bulger quickly completed a 12-yard pass to Robinson and hit Jackson for a gain of 3 yards two plays later. With those completions, Bulger became the franchise’s all time leader in that category.

- Unfortunately, the 12-yard gain was the only first down the team would pick up and Jones punted to Washington’s 14 where the Redskins took over for possession No. 2.

- The Redskins fared much better this time around as Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley did most of the work. Washington had a first and goal at the Rams’ 8 but the Rams defense did enough to hold the Redskins to a field goal when Witherspoon tipped a third-down pass in the end zone that fell incomplete.

- Suisham connected from 21 yards out to make it 3-0 Redskins with 4:57 to go in the quarter.

- Kenneth Darby got the first kick return opportunity of the day for the Rams, bringing it back to the Rams 15.

- The Rams’ second opportunity started ominously when McMichael fumbled after a catch but it was negated by a roughing the passer penalty.

- Center Jason Brown suffered a right knee injury and was replaced by Mark Setterstrom at center.

- The Rams have a second down at Washington’s 46 to open the second quarter, trailing 3-0.

Pregame Notes

- Greetings from FedEx Field where the Rams and Redskins are preparing to kick off in week two of the NFL regular season.

- No real surprises on the pregame injury report as the Rams’ list looks similar to last week’s.

- Keith Null is the third quarterback this week again.

- Safety Anthony Smith, safety Craig Dahl, guards Roger Allen III and John Greco, receiver Ruvell Martin, defensive end Victor Adeyanju and defensive tackle Darell Scott.

- For Washington, the only player of name value inactive is cornerback Fred Smoot. Smoot is Washington’s nickel back and will be replaced by Justin Tryon.

- The Rams’ starting lineup remains the same from last week:
QB – Marc Bulger
RB – Steven Jackson
FB – Mike Karney
WR – Donnie Avery
WR – Laurent Robinson
TE – Randy McMichael
LT – Alex Barron
LG – Jacob Bell
C – Jason Brown
RG – Richie Incognito
RT – Jason Smith

- On defense:
LDE – Leonard Little
LDT – Gary Gibson
RDT – Clifton Ryan
RDE – Chris Long
SLB – David Vobora
MLB – James Laurinaitis
WLB – Will Witherspoon
LCB – Ron Bartell
RCB – Jonathan Wade
FS – Oshiomogho Atogwe
SS – James Butler

2nd Quarter

KTVI, FOX 2 is once again “The Home of the Rams” in 2007.  On Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m., check out Rams Weekly where Fox 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne goes one on one with head coach Scott Linehan and a Rams’ player.

Prior to each game, Kilcoyne will be joined by the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s Bryan Burwell, FOX 2’s Rob Desir and FOX 2’s Maurice Drummond for Rams Gameday pregame show, bringing viewers in-depth analysis, player profiles and the latest inside scoop on every Rams game.

The 2009-2010 broadcast team for Rams Radio is as follows:

Rams Radio Pre-Game Show:
Host: Randy Karraker
Analyst: Coach Jim Hanifan
Reporter: Brian Stull
Gameday Insider: Jim Thomas
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Segment Contributors: Bernie Miklasz, Bryan Burwell, Pat Parris,
D’Marco Farr and Steve Savard
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

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In-Game Reporter: Brian Stull
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Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

Rams Radio Post-Game Show:
Hosts: Steve Savard and Brent Stover
Analysts: D’Marco Farr and Coach Jim Hanifan
Locker Room Interviews: Brian Stull
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

All of the Rams game day shows and coverage, along with the weekly Rams programs will be executed under the watchful eye of Executive Producer Chris Neupert. Studio Producer duties will vary by program and schedule, rotating between 101 ESPN Producers Ben Boyd, Todd Wise and Chris Gardner. Steve Bear will be the In-Game Spotter, and engineering responsibilities will be handled by Dodie Rahlman, Craig Rutledge, Marshall Rice, Bob Hoffman and Ken Cunetto.

Along with the Rams game day coverage and pre-and post-game shows, 101 ESPN will broadcast “Rams Rush Hour Shows” weeknights from 7:00 until 8:00 pm. As part of “Rams Rush Hour Shows,” Coach Steve Spagnuolo and General Manager Billy Devaney are expected to do weekly shows.

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Weekly Prize

Seventeen (17) Weekly Team Prizes (1 weekly prize each week for 17 weeks)

• Week 1: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 2: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 3: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 4: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 5: Steven Jackson Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 6: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 7: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 8: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 9: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $25.00 USD)
• Week 10: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 11: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 12: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 13: Chris Long Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 14: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 15: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 16: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 17: Donnie Avery Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)

One (1) Overall Grand Team Prize
Rams 2010 Home Opener Dream Package: Package for two (2) for the Rams 2010 regular season home opener, includes (2) club seat tickets***, two (2) pre-game sidelines passes, one (1) complimentary parking pass, and one (1) Rams gift bag which includes autographed memorabilia (such memorabilia determined by Rams in their sole discretion). (ARV: $1,500.00 USD).