Rams report, 11/29

Photo - USA Today

* Wednesday injury report: Danny Amendola (foot) has returned to wearing a walking boot and did not practice Wednesday. Steven Jackson (foot) and Scott Wells (knee) were held out of practice. Mario Haggan (elbow) and Robert Quinn (concussion) also did not participate.

* Sunday recap. Janoris Jenkins was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for returning two interceptions for TDs in the Rams' 31-17 win over the Big Dead. I haven't had time to update ramview.com, but this link should take you to the recap.

- Positives: Terrific games for Jenkins, Steven Jackson and Chris Givens; offensive line looked strong playing with its five intended starters for the first time. Sam Bradford recovered from a very shaky start.
- Negatives: Defense amazingly soft in first half; terrible miss by Greg Zuerlein from 35; Givens the only receiver with more than one catch.

* Sunday preview. The Rams are 7-point underdogs to the 49ers at home Sunday. Colin Kaepernick will get the start at QB for the 49ers. Let's hope the Rams' coaching staff is much more aware of Kaepernick's running ability than they seemed to be a couple of weeks ago. Season-ending injuries to Kendall Hunter and Kyle Williams make it likely that the 49ers will dust off rookies LaMichael James and A.J. Jenkins for Sunday's game.

* Ex-Rams report:
- Dallas has signed Brady Poppinga. They have lost a couple of LBs with season-ending injuries.
- Cadillac Williams had a tryout with the Giants but could not beat out Ryan Torain or Kregg Lumpkin.
- Mardy Gilyard, cut by the Eagles last week, has been picked back up by the Jets.
- Pittsburgh added Joe Long to its practice squad.
- NFL.com never showed a transaction where the Chiefs cut him, but Bryan Kehl is back on Washington's roster now.

Not a very heated race for Ex-Ram of the Week this week, which goes to Donnie Jones. He averaged an impressive 47.7 per punt and pinned the Lions inside the 20 three times in Houston's Thanksgiving Day victory.

-$-

Rams report, 11/24

* Injury report for Sunday's game in Arizona:
Out: Mario Haggan (elbow)
Doubtful: Danny Amendola (foot)
Questionable: Lance Kendricks (knee), Rodney McLeod (calf)
Probable: Steven Jackson (foot)

Amendola is expected to miss the game. The Rams may catch a break in that Calais Campbell (calf) is not expected to play, although he is only listed as questionable.

Kickoff is at 3:25.

* Ex-Rams news:
- Lucky Greg Salas has gone from the Patriots to the Eagles. NFL.com says the Eagles waived him yesterday; I think they mean the Patriots did; then, the Eagles claimed him on waivers. To add Salas to their roster, Philadelphia cut another former Ram, Mardy Gilyard.
- Kevin Hughes has re-joined San Diego's practice squad.
- Jamie McCoy has been dropped from Pittsburgh's practice squad yet again.

-$-

Injury report, 11/23

Rams
Did not practice Thursday: Danny Amendola (foot), Mario Haggan (elbow), Rodney McLeod (calf)
Limited: Steven Jackson (foot), Lance Kendricks (knee)

Arizona
Limited: Calais Campbell (calf), William Gay (groin), Kerry Rhodes (back), LaRod Stephens-Howling (ribs).

-$-

Rams report, 11/21

* Injury list:
Not practicing Wednesday: Danny Amendola (foot), Mario Haggan (elbow), Steven Jackson (foot), Lance Kendricks (knee). Jackson and Kendricks are just being rested. Amendola's situation looks a little more serious; he is in a walking boot.


* Transactions: The Rams have re-acquired LB Jabara Williams, the seventh-round pick most fans would argue the team cut short-sightedly last season. He takes the open space left on the practice squad by Corey Harkey's promotion.

* With Scott Wells returning at center, Robert Turner is now starting at left guard.

* Big Dead report:
Ken Whisenhunt says he's sticking with rookie Ryan Lindley at QB Sunday. Arizona has also activated RB Beanie Wells from injured reserve. He practiced in full Wednesday, but the Cardinals had quite a few players who were limited, including Kevin Kolb, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Daryn Colledge, Calais Campbell, Kerry Rhodes and Justin Bethel. Kolb's still working his way back into shape from injured ribs and it doesn't sound like there's much chance of him playing against the Rams.

* Ex-Rams report:
- Jerome Murphy has signed with the Redskins.
- Detroit has dropped Jimmy Saddler-McQueen from its practice squad.

* Happy Thanksgiving to all.

-$-

Brit Miller released

Photo - STLToday

Scott Wells was added back to the Rams' 53-man roster today from injured reserve, as expected. A little less expected: fullback Brit Miller was released to make room for Wells. Miller was not active for Sunday's loss to the Jets. Lance Kendricks is expected to take Miller's lead-blocking role, which is a good call. Lance has seriously improved as a blocker this season, and RamView never has thought that highly of Miller's play at fullback. Brit is a pretty good special teams player, so the risk is that the Rams will miss his blocking there. And sadly, Rampage is going to have to find a new roommate.

Corey Harkey could also get some opportunities in the fullback/blocking tight end role. It sounds like he will stick on the main roster. The Rams still have a practice squad opening.

The Rams roster currently has nine offensive linemen, four tight ends and only three defensive tackles. If Wells is immediately stepping in at center against the Big Dead this week, I'm expecting Robert Turner to slide over to LG, being much less of a pass-protection liability than Shelley Smith.

-$-

RamView, 11/20

Photo - ESPN

* RamView for easily the most bitterly disappointing game of the Jeff Fisher era, Sunday's 27-13 loss to the 3-6 Jets, is up now. Link

- Positives: Steven Jackson. Brandon Gibson caught 2 TDs. Janoris Jenkins played pretty well.
- Negatives: everyone else. Bradford was poor and had 2 turnovers. Daryl Richardson had a costly turnover. Receivers could not get open. D-line didn't do anything after first quarter. Trumaine Johnson burned badly for a TD and another big play. Kick returns were poor, especially thanks to referees calling a TD return back. Coaching staff at present cannot motivate players, cannot put together a coherent game plan, or apparently even do third-grade math.

* Injury report: Mario Haggan was knocked out of the game early due to an elbow injury that sounds long-term. I'm expecting he'll be moved to injured reserve.

Danny Amendola injured a heel in the first half but got it taped up and returned to the game. So it's not a ruptured Achilles, but it doesn't sound like the best injury for a wide receiver to have, either. Let's call Danny questionable pending an exam of that injury.

Eugene Sims and Austin Pettis played against the Jets. Darian Stewart's knee injury kept him on the inactive list.

Scott Wells is expected to return to the 53-man roster this week, so look for a move to clear a roster spot for him. Tim Barnes or Cory Harkey could return to the practice squad, which has been a man short since Harkey's promotion last week.

* The Rams next travel to Arizona for a 3:25 game Sunday. The Rams won the first meeting 17-3 in October behind a 9-sack attack of Kevin Kolb. The Cardinals appear to have switched to rookie Ryan Lindley at QB now, and haven't won since taking their first loss of the season here.

How disappointing were the Rams Sunday? Against an Arizona team that's 4-6 and had 70 yards passing last week, they're 3-point underdogs.

* Ex-Rams news:
- Greg Salas has been promoted to the Patriots' main roster, replacing Deion Branch.
- Joe Gibbs has been added to Green Bay's practice squad.

* Ex-Ram of the week is once again Danario Alexander, who had 7 catches, 96 yards and 2 TDs in San Diego's 30-23 loss at Denver. Brandon Gibson's the only Rams player who scored more TDs this year than DX has in two games.

-$-

Rams report, 11/17

* Injury report for tomorrow's contest against the New York Jets:
Questionable: Mario Haggan (thigh), Austin Pettis (toe), Eugene Sims (knee), Darian Stewart (knee).

Key names for the Jets:
Probable: Stephen Hill (out sick), LaRon Landry (foot), Nick Mangold (ankle), Calvin Pace (shoulder), Matt Slauson (knee), Mark Sanchez (back), Tim Tebow (ribs)
Questionable: Jeremy Kerley (foot), Joe McKnight (ankle), Sione Pouha (back), Bart Scott (toe)

That's probably about half their list, which reminds me of some of the Spagnuolo-era injury lists in its length. Most of the Jets on the report, though, are listed as probable. The eyebrow-raiser is Kerley - if he's slowed down, it takes a nice-sized chunk out of what little offense the Jets do have.

Then again, if the Rams do not STOP THE RUN tomorrow, they'll make Sanchez look good.

* Roster moves: Tight end Cory Harkey was promoted from the practice squad to take Kellen Heard's place on the main roster. No move to replace him on the practice squad has been announced.

* Pro Football Weekly has been a lot busier covering the Rams the past couple of weeks than they've had to be the past few seasons. Some highlights:

- According to team insiders, Danny Amendola's injury history makes any decision on franchising him very difficult;
- Look for a total makeover at safety next offseason like the one the Rams did at corner this season (see previous link);
- Janoris Jenkins is still a work in progress, but even with his recent slump and curfew violation, "his pluses have outnumbered his minuses";
- Chris Long becomes the latest player PFW describes as a "rolling ball of butcher knives". Dibs on that for the name of my future metal band.

* Tomorrow's game will air on KMOV at noon. That's CBS, not Fox, because it's an AFC road game. The Rams are 3.5-point favorites; Bernie Miklasz notes that it's the first time the Rams have been favored to win a game since Boxing Day 2010 vs. the Niners. The Rams won that game, but I am in total dread of being favored in this one.

This game has also sold more tickets than any game so far this year, an encouraging sign that interest in the team has picked back up. (Unless Jets fans travel very, very well.) Please don't blow this one, fellas.

* Get well soon, Mike Ditka.

-$-

Rams report, 11/16

Photo - STLToday

Some quick notes for Friday:

* The Rams' injury report increased just a little:
- Did not practice: Austin Pettis (toe)
- Limited: Mario Haggan (thigh), Eugene Sims (knee), Darian Stewart (knee).

Injuries for key Jets players:
- Did not practice: LaRon Landry (foot)
- Limited: Sione Pouha (back)

* Since I guess it's never too early to start worrying about next year, Pro Football Talk has already started ramping up free agency talk. Notably, Danny Amendola will be eligible for unrestricted free agency. PFT's Mike Florio says it seems inevitable that Amendola will get the franchise tag from the Rams.

I'm a little embarrassed not to be able to remember the last player the Rams had who was even good enough to be franchised. For his part, Amendola says he wouldn't complain about getting the tag. Well, of course not; it would guarantee him a $9-10 million salary in 2013; he makes just short of $2 million this year.

Oh, yeah... Wikipedia says the last player the Rams franchised was Oshiomogho Atogwe, in 2009.

Sports Illustrated

* I doubt he'd sell many issues as the subject of the cover article, but the subject of Sports Illustrated's feature article this week is... Rams owner Stan Kroenke. Writer L. Jon Wertheim calls Kroenke the most powerful man in sports and manages to get several pages out of Kroenke's low-key personality and investing success. The article focuses mainly on Arsenal, and the Rams and the stadium situation get just a couple of paragraphs. Several friends said they'd doubt Kroenke would move the Rams, especially if he didn't already own the stadium in the target city.

Trivia you already knew about Stan (E. Stanley) Kroenke: He was named after Cardinals baseball legends Enos Slaughter and Stan Musial.

Trivia you probably knew about Stan Kroenke: He's the world largest investor in sports, owning at least $3.5 billion worth of sports properties, including the Rams, Arsenal, Avalanche, Nuggets and Denver's Pepsi Center. When in Denver, he stays in a penthouse that's attached to the Pepsi Center.

Trivia you probably didn't know about Stan Kroenke: he can bench 225 pounds 12 times, which I guarantee will come up again in future RamView NFL Combine coverage.

I'll get a link up to the Kroenke article online when it goes into the "SI Vault". Speaking of which, here's the link to the FG record article (which mentions Greg Zuerlein) I promised a few weeks ago.

* Ex-Rams updates:
- Demarco Cosby added to the Chiefs practice squad.
- Jamie McCoy back on the Steelers practice squad.

-$-

RamView, 11/15

* The recap of the Rams' 24-24 tie in San Francisco is up now at ramview.com. Link

Positives: Danny Amendola returned and made plays all over the place. Strong game by Sam Bradford. Very strong game by Steven Jackson. Good game from offensive line. D-line did some early damage. Hekker nails on TWO fake punts. Brian Quick and Daryl Richardson make the most of limited action.

Negatives: Rams lost a game-winning OT FG, a long punt return and a likely game-clinching OT bomb due to idiotic penalties. Jeff Fisher didn't make the best use of his timeouts. Defense went to sleep after Rams extended lead to 10 in 3rd quarter. D-line let Colin Kaepernick run wild. Critical kickoff return fumble by Isaiah Pead.

* Injury report: For possibly the first time in recorded history, the Rams have NO official injuries to report. At Wednesday's practice, only three players were limited: Austin Pettis (toe), Eugene Sims (knee), Darian Stewart (knee). The roster spot left open when Jeff Fisher cut Kellen Heard Sunday is still open, but could be filled by Scott Wells. He's increasing his practice load and there could be a decision on his status later this week.

Janoris Jenkins and Chris Givens both practiced Wednesday. Still in Fisher's doghouse for breaking curfew Friday night, they'll both play against the Jets but may not start. The awesome part of this whole story is Fisher making them run the stadium steps in Candlestick before the game.

* The Rams prepare next for the New York Jets at noon Sunday. The Rams are early 3-point favorites. I fear the St. Louis media are not taking the Jets seriously enough. Yes, they're reeling; yes, Mark Sanchez is awful, but that is a lot better team when they've got their middle running game going, and what have you all seen from the Rams lately to think they're going to shut down Shonn Greene?

* Ex-Rams news:
- Chris Johnson, cut by the Raiders back in March, has joined the Ravens.
- Kevin Hughes had a tryout with the Colts.
- Brody Eldridge was waived by the Bears, who needed to add another QB because of Jay Cutler's concussion.
- Ron Bartell's season is NOT over in Oakland. He had the return designation when he went on IR and returned to the active roster before Sunday's game.

RamView doesn't have a regular ex-Ram of the Week award, but this week's would definitely go to Danario Alexander, who put the Chargers on top early with an 80-yard TD reception and finished the 34-24 loss in Tampa with 5 catches for 134 yards.

-$-

Surprise pre-game moves...

...and they aren't pleasant surprises, either. Jeff Fisher has put Janoris Jenkins and Chris Givens on today's INACTIVE list for the dreaded "violation of team rules" that we'll never learn what actually was. Kellen Heard has been flatout CUT, and since that was done with no apparent plan or opportunity to re-fill his roster spot for the game, I'll assume it was also disciplinary.

The timing of the announcement has me wondering if these guys missed the bus to the stadium or something. If they violated any curfew they might have had last night, seems like something would have come down sooner.

(Chris Myers' pregame report on Fox makes it sound sound like they may have missed or were late for yesterday's walkthrough)

Hardly encouraging at all to see Jenkins barely make a half-season without getting in off-field hot water with the team, btw. Coming off the two poorest games of his NFL career, he has now reached a tipping point. And Givens' absence dooms Sam Bradford to throwing nothing but 2-yard passes all day today.

Looks like I'll be glad to be bailing in the 4th for that concert I'm going to.

-$-

Rams report, 11/10

* Injury report for Sunday's game in San Francisco:
- Probable: Barry Richardson (concussion), Justin Cole, Kendall Langford. Cole had missed some practice time while out sick; Langford had an excused absence.
- Questionable: Danny Amendola (collarbone), Mario Haggan (thigh), Kellen Heard (both feet?), Wayne Hunter (back), Rodger Saffold (knee).
It looks like Saffold and Richardson will be the starting tackles tomorrow. I think Hunter's outplayed Richardson, but Hunter is going to be the swing tackle.
- Doubtful: Eugene Sims (knee), Darian Stewart (knee)

The 49ers, who are currently favored by 11.5, don't appear to have any significant injuries.

Photo - USA Today

* The Sporting News - that's still around? - conducted its annual poll of the NFL's dirtiest players, and for the second straight year, the winner is Ndamukong Suh. In second place, another case of an ex-Ram lifting his game to its highest level after leaving the team, Richie Incognito. Cortland Finnegan took third, where he also placed last year. So there's some motivation for him Sunday, then.

-$-

Rams report, 11/7

Photo - Dallas News

A few notes as the Rams prep for the 49ers Sunday:

* Transactions:
- Quinton Pointer was called from the practice squad to take Matt Daniels' (IR, torn ACL) place on the main roster.
- Pointer's place on the practice squad was filled by wide receiver Saalim Hakim, Az's brother. Reportedly runs a 4.2 40. And the Raiders didn't draft him? He was in Dallas' training camp, though.

The Rams returned to practice today. The injury report:
* Did not participate: Eugene Sims (knee); Justin Cole (out sick); Darian Stewart (chillin'). What a wasted season for Stewart. I had the guy on his way to the 2014 Pro Bowl in July. In November, I have him getting beaten out of a job in 2013 training camp by one of two safeties the Rams take in the draft. NFL = Not For Long, buddy.
* Limited: Mario Haggan, Wayne Hunter, Danny Amendola, Rodger Saffold. Amendola's playing Sunday; Saffold sounds questionable at worst; Hunter is probably doubtful.
* Full participant: Barry Richardson. Believe he suffered a concussion against New England.
* Scott Wells is alive! He also practiced on Wednesday, though in more of a trial run. The Rams have three weeks to activate him or put him back on season-ending I.R.

* Ex-Rams on the move:
- Pittsburgh cut Jamie McCoy from their practice squad.
- Buffalo signed Thomas Welch.
- Keith Toston waived again by Jacksonville.

* The San Francisco game kicks off at 3:25 Sunday. Naturally, I have to leave at 6:00 for a concert. Nothing like having to leave a football game in the 4th quarter. Don't expect a very early RamView on Monday.

-$-

RamView, 11/3

Photo - USA Today

Yes, I know, every week looks like a bye week here at the world's worst Rams blog, but here are some updates from the Rams bye week anyway. Players will wrap up a 4-day break and return to Rams Park on Monday.

* Injuries:
- Rookie safety Matt Daniels tore an ACL against the Patriots and has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. The Rams have not yet made a move to replace him on the roster but early next week seems likely. And Quinton Pointer seems likely for a call-up from the practice squad, since he played well on special teams this summer.
- Danny Amendola is all but certain to return for the San Francisco game November 11. He'll wear a flak jacket to protect against re-injuring his collarbone.
- The Rams could get both starting tackles back for the 49ers game. Remember who they are? Rodger Saffold and Wayne Hunter "have a chance" to return according to Jim Thomas. Saffold practiced with the team in London, so he's probably a little closer.
- Scott Wells, though, and Eugene Sims, both out with knee injuries, are still said to be "a few weeks" away. If that's the case, I don't know why the heck the Rams don't just I.R. Sims and get Sammy Brown some playing time.

* Another honor for Legatron: Greg Zuerlein was named to Sports Illustrated's midseason All-Pro team. Peter King calls him "the best long kicker since Sebastian Janikowski."

* Here's the link to the RamView report on the London debacle. Report
Positives: St. Louisans didn't have to pay for tickets to watch a lousy performance that flashed back to 2011. Oh, and another big play for Chris Givens.
Negatives: Just about everything else. Every player on defense especially sucked.

* Ex-Rams news:
- The Jagwires cut Keith Toston on the 30th but decided they needed more RB depth and re-signed him on the 1st. He returned two kicks for them last week and averaged 24.5 yards.
- Hall "The Undertaker" Davis has been signed to Cleveland's practice squad.
- Seattle waived Danny Gorrer on the 30th, but Tampa claimed him on waivers the next day. Maybe Aqib Talib will clean up his act knowing the Bucs felt like they could replace him adequately with Danny Gorrer.
- Also in Tampa, Roger Allen was promoted from the practice squad to take the roster squad vacated when they had to put Carl Nicks on season-ending injured reserve. No offense to Roger, but that's a downgrade.
- Jabara Williams tried out with the Packers a couple of weeks ago. He hasn't been in the league since the Bears cut him in the final August roster cutdown.

-$-