Fisher, Rams dealing with 5-game winless stretch

By R.B. FALLSTROM - AP Sports Writer
    2012-11-19 20:10

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A five-game winless stretch has the rebuilding St. Louis Rams stuck on three wins.

Coach Jeff Fisher reminded one of the NFL's youngest rosters on Monday that with more consistency, and perhaps a turnover or two, the tide will turn.

Also, how easily momentum can swing in a game.

``They didn't like it, don't like it, but they saw where their opportunities were and they understand how this thing slipped away,'' Fisher said. ``And they're determined not to let it happen again.''

Fisher was critical of some officiating calls in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the New York Jets, notably a holding penalty that nullified rookie Chris Givens' 98-yard kickoff return near the end of the half that would have given the Rams a 14-13 lead.

He added that rookie Rodney McLeod, whose technique was fine except for a prolonged tug of the jersey, could have given officials no reason to target him.

``You know, there's three holdings on their first kickoff that aren't called and all of them were more egregious than the one that was called,'' Fisher said. ``I'll just leave it at that.''

Fisher said the Jets' Chaz Schilens did a good job of acting on the play.

``When the arms go up, sometimes that's all it takes,'' the coach said. ``But we're not good enough to even put ourselves in position to where they think it's a hold.''

Fisher said he probably should have given the ball more to Steven Jackson, who averaged 6.2 yards on 13 carries for St. Louis (3-6-1).

He didn't think quarterback Sam Bradford wasn't guilty of hanging onto the ball too long while perhaps intimidated a bit by an early interception.

``They did a good job affecting coverage and taking away checkdowns. He was just trying to make plays,'' Fisher said. ``There was a couple times where he probably could have pulled it down and run a little bit and got the first down.

``He knows someone's chasing him, he doesn't know who.''

Bradford was 6 for 8 for 60 yards on the Rams' opening 13-play, 86-yard drive capped by Brandon Gibson's 1-yard scoring catch. He was 8 for 10 for 79 yards before getting picked off by Eric Smith on a short sideline pattern, and 15 for 34 for 91 yards the rest of the way.

``It was just a late throw,'' Bradford said. ``I know better than that. You can't come across the field. I tried to force it.''

Jackson shared time with backup Daryl Richardson much of the first half of the season, part of the time while recovering from a groin injury.

Fisher has said this time of the season is when they'll lean on the 235-pound bruiser who's seeking his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season, so it was puzzling to see Richardson in the game for more than a play or two at a time.

``I think in retrospect, we probably should have fed `Jack' a little more,'' Fisher said. ``I talked to him today about it. He ran over some people, some good players.

``We're going to have to commit to that.''

A few turnovers, or just one, would help the Rams dictate terms. According to STATS LLC, they're just the second team since 1950 to go five games without a takeaway.

``You get a bounce here and there, but right now they're not bouncing our way,'' safety Quintin Mikell said. ``It's crazy, because that could be the difference in the game.''

The Rams had appeared to be poised for a surge after outplaying powerful San Francisco the previous week. Because of crucial mistakes, they settled for a tie.

``I don't believe in the whole `step forward, step back' stuff,'' middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. ``We definitely viewed this as a game that we thought we could get, and it's disappointing to lose one at home.

``I'm not going to lie about it. We have to figure out how to win games like these.''

The second half was all Jets. They put up 27 unanswered points before the Rams got a late score on Gibson's second TD grab, and not counting a kneel-down on the final play their last 21 snaps were all in St. Louis territory.

The Rams had six snaps in Jets territory the first possession and two more in the second quarter, but none in the third.

``Field position was tough, especially in the third quarter,'' Fisher said. ``Field position played a big part in the game.''

----

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Joseph RandleJun 18 10:35a

The Dallas Cowboys believe RB Joseph Randle can be a full-time running back if something happened to RB DeMarco Murray. Randle will have to compete with RBs Lance Dunbar [ More ]

DeAngelo WilliamsJun 18 09:23a

Carolina Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert received plenty of repetitions in OTAs with RB Jonathan Stewart (ankles) on the mend.

Vonta LeachJun 18 08:23a

Free-agent RB Vonta Leach (Ravens) said he'll decide on a new team within two weeks, but he prefers to sign with the Houston Texans.

Desmond BishopJun 17 08:03p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) said he is motivated as a result of his release. "There's something about being released that's definitely going to add another chip to my [ More ]

Cliff AvrilJun 17 07:03p

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said DE Cliff Avril (foot) should be ready for the start of training camp. Avril misses the organized team activities and most of [ More ]

Michael RobinsonJun 17 06:53p

Seattle Seahawks FB Michael Robinson is expected to compete with RB Spencer Ware during training camp for the starting fullback job.

Desmond BishopJun 17 06:43p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) did not rule out the possibility of re-signing with the Green Bay Packers if he is not able to find the compensation he is looking for from another team.

Desmond BishopJun 17 06:33p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (hamstring) said he has completely recovered from the hamstring tear he suffered during the preseason in 2012.

Brad JonesJun 17 06:23p

Green Bay Packers LB Brad Jones is likely to be a starter for the team this year after they released LB Desmond Bishop Monday, June 17.

Bryant McKinnieJun 17 06:23p

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said OT Bryant McKinnie did well during offseason workouts and is happy that McKinnie is working on his conditioning. 'Bryant did a really [ More ]

Desmond BishopJun 17 06:03p

The Kansas City Chiefs could show interest in free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) because general manager John Dorsey was with the Green Bay Packers when Bishop was there.

Desmond BishopJun 17 05:23p

Free-agent LB Desmond Bishop (Packers) said he is scheduled to meet with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, June 18.

Desmond BishopJun 17 05:13p

The Green Bay Packers have officially released LB Desmond Bishop.

Miles AustinJun 17 04:03p

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin said he believes sitting out some practices during organized team activities and minicamp helped him not overwork his hamstrings. Austin has dealt with hamstring problems the last few seasons.

Desmond BishopJun 17 03:03p

The Green Bay Packers will release LB Desmond Bishop.

M. BernadeauJun 17 02:23p

Dallas Cowboys OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (shoulder), OG Nate Livings (knee) and OT Jermey Parnell (hamstring) are expected to be ready for the start of training camp. All three missed [ More ]

Tony RomoJun 17 02:13p

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back) is expected to be fully recovered from his back surgery next week and will try to throw some passes to the remaining players at the team's facility.

Wes WelkerJun 17 01:33p

The Denver Post's Mike Klis estimates that the Denver Broncos' passing offense would reach its peak if Demaryius Thomas gets 85 receptions and Eric Decker and Wes Welker each [ More ]

Kyle WilliamsJun 17 01:23p

San Francisco 49ers WR Kyle Williams is the pre-training-camp favorite for the 'X' wide receiver spot, ahead of A.J. Jenkins, who holds the slot advantage, and others.

Ryan BroylesJun 17 01:13p

Detroit Lions WR Ryan Broyles (knee) expects to be ready for the 2013 season as he continues rehabbing the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He participated [ More ]

Chad JohnsonJun 17 12:53p

Free-agent WR Chad Johnson (Dolphins) was released from jail in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Monday, June 17, after apologize for his inappropriate behavior during a court hearing the previous [ More ]

Donald DriverJun 17 12:23p

Retired WR Donald Driver said Sunday, June 16, that he would come out of retirement if the Green Bay Packers contacted him to do so, but he wouldn't for any other club.

Davon HouseJun 17 11:20a

Green Bay Packers CB Davon House (shoulder) said over the weekend that he fully expects to be ready for the first day of training camp July 26. He said [ More ]

Devin HesterJun 17 11:13a

Chicago Bears KR Devin Hester is competing to keep his job as the primary kick returner. WR Earl Bennett is also fielding kicks, and at age 31, Hester could become a salary cap casualty.

Ronnie HillmanJun 17 11:11a

The Denver Broncos could start RB Ronnie Hillman for Week 1, but he is expected to eventually give way to rookie RB Montee Ball, perhaps by the end of [ More ]

Willis McGaheeJun 17 11:11a

Paul Klee, of the Colorado Springs Gazette, believes the primary reason free-agent RB Willis McGahee (knee, Broncos) is no longer a Denver Broncos roster member is because of his [ More ]

Matt SpaethJun 17 11:08a

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Matt Spaeth might start the regular season as a starter if TE Heath Miller (knee) is not ready. However, he is considered a strong blocking tight [ More ]

Austin PettisJun 17 11:06a

St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said he was very impressed with how WR Austin Pettis has performed during offseason workouts. 'Quite honestly, he's probably having the best [ More ]

Alshon JefferyJun 17 11:03a

Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) has been limited during offseason workouts, but the team is pleased with how he has worked to get himself in better physical condition. [ More ]

David WilsonJun 17 10:51a

New York Giants RB David Wilson's number of kickoff returns will be affected by his workload at running back, hinted special teams coordinator Tom Quinn. 'We'll see how that [ More ]

Mark HerzlichJun 17 10:34a

New York Giants LB Mark Herzlich, who lined up with the first-team defense throughout the team's organized team activities and minicamp, is expected to be the starter at middle [ More ]

Arian FosterJun 17 10:13a

Houston Texans RB Arian Foster (calf) said he'll most likely be ready for training camp.

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group