Rams notes, 10/13

Looks like I have a lot to catch up on - then again, so do the Rams, after that odious spectacle in Detroit Sunday. When you were 1-15 the year before, don't go anyplace the next year thinking you will win just by showing up, m-kay?

* Lies, damned lies, and statistics. One of the big blows of the Detroit fiasco statistically was that the Rams actually had a positive point differential for a couple of weeks. Not any more; they've now scored 83 this season and given up 96. Then again, the Cardinals have one of the NFL's worst point differentials at -50, and they're in first place.

* In case you weren't already sure the onside kick to start the Lions game was one of the dumbest possible calls in the NFL, Mike Sando's blog on ESPN.com found out it's been tried EIGHT times in the last TEN YEARS (about 2,600 games) and worked TWICE. Great odds, Spagnuolo, you numbnut. Ironically, Kansas City tried the same thing in Indianapolis Sunday about the same time the Rams did in Detroit. And also failed. And that was also a dumb call. By doing that, Todd Haley was kind of agreeing with everyone else that the Chiefs' 3-0 record was a mirage, that they couldn't really compete with the Colts. Wrong message. Though the Colts have at least very famously shown vulnerability to the onside kick, back in February in the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs have pretty good special teams. A poor call, but infinitely more justifiable than the Rams'.

The Bills are at the Ravens in two weeks; that's the next time ANYBODY in the NFL has permission to even think about starting a game with an onside kick.

* Injury update. Mark Clayton, of course, is out for the rest of the season after tearing a patellar tendon in the first quarter against Detroit. TE Darcy Johnson has also been placed on season-ending IR. He has symptoms of a concussion and is on his way to being waived/injured.

The Rams are officially healthy at TE again, though: Billy Bajema and Michael Hoomanawanui both return to action this week. Gary Gibson's shoulder injury didn't keep him out of Sunday's game, so he also comes off the list. Kevin Dockery (hamstring) was out for Detroit but should be up for San Diego.

Still on the list lih: Chris Chamberlain (toe) is at least doing limited work in practice, but is probably another week away. DarellDorell Scott's got up to another 3 to 5 weeks to go on his high ankle sprain. Cliff Ryan's migraines continue to be, well, a headache. About time to think about IRing him, isn't it? Jacob Bell was "dinged" and will be watched for concussion symptoms. Justin King (calf) played Sunday but was pretty far from 100%.

Day-to-day: David Vobora (bruised knee); Jason Smith (sore foot); Ron Bartell (bruised calf, stone hands).

* Transactions. Oh, great, Mizzou fans are abuzz: Danario Alexander was promoted to the 53-man roster to replace Clayton. And Illini fans: not only is Uh-Oh on the way back, but Brit Miller was also called up from the practice squad, to replace Johnson. Brandon McRae and Mortty Ivy were re-signed to the PS.

* Blackout watch. Currently about 5,000 tickets remaining for the San Diego game this coming Sunday. Kevin Demoff's hoping for help from local firms again to get the game on TV. Yeah, losing 44-6 to freaking Detroit didn't exactly help the cause.

* Vegas verdict. The Rams opened as 9.5-point underdogs to the Chargers, but that's already been bet down to 8.5. Sigh, give me the Chargers and the over. The good news: I'd be a crappy 1-2-1 betting Rams games this season.

* RamView's harebrained personnel move of the week: instead of rushing the brittle-legged Alexander up off of our own PS, I was for signing Juaquin Iglesias off of Chicago's. 6'1" 205, runs a sub-4.5 40, and most importantly, gives Sam Bradford a familiar target. Iglesias had 142 catches for over 2,000 yards and 15 receiving TDs his last two seasons at Oklahoma. Most if not all of it would have been from Bradford. I could not completely back Iglesias, though, until he is completely cleared in the Lisa Lampanelli matter. That's just gross.

* Lest I forget, Kurt Warner is still in fine shape on Dancing With The Stars, which sent The Situation back to Jersey last night.