Redskins 'D' Faces A Challenge In Rams
By Rich Campbell
Special to Redskins.com
August 25, 2004
The St. Louis Rams were one of the best teams in football last season, but they ended the 2003 campaign with little to show for their efforts.
After winning the NFC West title with a 12-4 record, the Rams secured a first-round bye in the playoffs and appeared close to their second Super Bowl berth in three years. St. Louis faltered, however, as the Carolina Panthers dealt the Rams their first playoff loss at the Edward Jones Dome 29-23 in a thrilling double-overtime affair.
The Redskins do not play St. Louis during the 2004 regular season. Even so, head coach Joe Gibbs admires St. Louis's high-powered offense and he expects a challenge when the Redskins travel to the Edward Jones Dome for Friday night's preseason tilt between the 2-1 Redskins and 0-2 Rams.
"[Rams head coach] Mike Martz is one of the most gifted coaches in the league," Gibbs said. "I look at his stuff and he's extremely creative. They have developed an offense with a lot of speed. It fits their team very well.
"They do a lot of motions, shifts and very creative stuff. I rate Coach Martz as one of the best as far as giving [opponents] problems. This is going to be a very interesting matchup for our defense."
Washington holds a 19-6-1 all-time record against the Rams, including a 4-1 mark since the franchise moved from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 1995. The last contest between the two teams produced one of the most thrilling games in the history of FedExField.
On November 24, 2002, the 4-6 Redskins hosted the Rams in a must-win game. Redskins running back Stephen Davis churned out a gritty performance--31 carries, 88 yards and three touchdowns--to lead the Redskins to a 20-17 victory. Quarterback Danny Wuerffel played possibly the best game of his NFL career, completing 16-of-23 passes for 235 yards and no sacks or interceptions.
The Rams led 10-0 after their first two drives before the Redskins reeled off 20 unanswered points to take a 20-10 lead into the fourth quarter. A St. Louis touchdown pass by Warner to wideout Ricky Proehl cut the lead to 20-17 with little more than six minutes remaining. After a Redskin punt, the Rams marched deep into Redskin territory and sought to win the game with a touchdown rather than settle for a tying field goal.
With the Rams facing first-and-goal from the Redskins' six-yard line and only 17 seconds remaining, Warner dropped back to pass, looking for the potential game-winning score. LaVar Arrington, who had lined up as a defensive end, sacked Warner and forced a fumble that was recovered by Redskins defensive tackle Daryl Gardener. An instant replay review confirmed that Warner's hand was not moving forward and that the play was indeed a fumble.
The Redskins and Rams last met in the preseason at RFK Stadium in 1990, with the Redskins beating Los Angeles 37-10.
This offseason, the Rams have kept a relatively low profile. In fact, whom the Rams parted with during the offseason is more striking than their acquisitions.
Rams head coach Mike Martz this spring quelled a possible quarterback controversy by releasing two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner.
With Warner signing with the New York Giants, Martz has decided to start Marc Bulger. Bulger started 15 games last season after Warner was injured in Week 1, and his performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl. He threw for 3,845 yards, 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions in leading the Rams to the division title.
"I'm looking for [Bulger] to continue to grow, to lead us, to make good decisions and be smart with the football," Rams wide receiver Torry Holt told reporters at the outset of training camp. "I think that is what everybody is looking for him to do. If we can get that out of him, as far as being smart with the ball and getting the ball where it's supposed to be, then I think we will be a good football team."
On the defensive side of the ball, the Rams lost defensive end Grant Wistrom to free agency. Wistrom signed with NFC West-rival Seattle, and his departure is expected to create a significant void along the defensive front. The six-year veteran started every game for the Rams last season while recording 7.5 sacks and 61 tackles.
"I know there's a lot of concern," Martz said. "There's a lot of emotional attachment to Grant, and he's played so well for us for so many years we all thought that he was going to end his career here as a Ram. "On the other side of the coin, there are six guys out there on the defensive end--on the left and right side--that you would be happy with lining up and playing with."
Another departure occurred on the sideline as defensive coordinator Lovie Smith left to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Smith engineered the Rams' defense that registered 46 takeaways in 2003, the second-highest single-season total in the NFL during the last 10 years.
St. Louis scored five defensive touchdowns and recorded 42 sacks last season, the second and fourth-highest totals in the league, respectively.
Aside from those departures, the Rams also faced personnel issues along the offensive line early in camp. All-Pro tackle Orlando Pace had not reported to training camp as of the first pre-season game due to a contract holdout. Also, guard Kyle Turley was sidelined by back problems.
Another question mark on offense is the health of star running back Marshall Faulk. The 31-year old had knee surgery in the offseason and sat out the Rams' first pre-season game against Chicago.
After rushing for only 818 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, Faulk hopes to return to his 2001 form when he rushed for 1,382 yards, gained 765 yards receiving and scored 21 touchdowns.
Faulk's health and durability should have an impact on whether the Rams return to the playoffs.
"It's fun to have [Faulk] back there," Bulger said. "He just knows what he's doing. It's like having another quarterback out there. He can help everyone on the field."
In case injuries hamper Faulk this season, the Rams in April drafted running back Steven Jackson out of Oregon State with the 24th overall pick. Jackson was considered a steal that low in the draft.
A first-team All-Pac 10 selection, Jackson led the conference in rushing (1,545 yards), scoring (132 points) and all-purpose yards (2,015 yards) during his final season with the Beavers.
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