(Opening remarks)

“We had to go inside yesterday so it was nice to come out here in the sun. The fields are coming back for us. I know this is what you didn’t want to hear, but I’m looking out there thinking that’s a good thing. I tell you what, I look over at that turf field that we got last year and that’s been huge helping us, so all that stuff’s good. The only thing that happened out there injury-wise was (WR) Keenan Burton, (Head Athletic Trainer) Reggie (Scott) said, had a little swelling on his knee so he…we shut him down. Everything else is the same as yesterday. (DE) George Selvie got a little bit of work. Some of these guys are, (LB) Dave Vobora, are coming back and they’re getting a little bit of work, but other than that it’s pretty much status quo from yesterday.”

(Opening remarks)

“I don’t have a lot to report injury-wise. We actually stayed fairly healthy and some of those guys that had been out got a little individual, so I’m just going to let you fire away and we’ll stay dry in here.”

I meant to post something Friday but couldn't make it happen. Anyway, some of this has probably already been said but thought since I went to the game last Thursday night I'd post a few in-person observations.

The atmosphere

About 80% full at most. Much more subdued crowd than the '08 game. Lots of kids. You could tell many season ticket holders had given their tickets to friends (which is how I got mine...). Some good natured comments from Patriots' fans as I was wearing my #85 Youngblood jersey.
"A Rams' fan? Wow, you're the first one I've seen..."
Some sympathetic "Man, it sure must be tough these past few years..." (one guy even bought my wife and me a beer...)
"Youngblood, boy did he dominate..."

And have to say again, that stadium is just top-notch. New jumbo HD video boards at each end zone. Great sight lines. And sitting just 35 rows from the field didn't hurt either..

(Opening remarks)

“The sun’s in a different spot. For training camp it was over there, so that’s not a bad thing. You didn’t think I noticed that? I tell you what after 48 hours of not practicing, it was good to be back out there. That was…I thought the guys did a nice job today. They were a little bit fresher and they came out and worked at it pretty good. It was good to see. On the injury front, (S) Kevin Payne went out there, tried to go, tweaked it, didn’t feel real good, so (Head Athletic Trainer) Reggie (Scott) shut him down. He did not practice. It’s the same injury. Reggie might get another MRI. I’m not really sure why it reacted that way and then Jordan Kent went out there in the special teams practice but then started to feel a little nauseous, so we’re not sure if he got dinged and it was a head-type injury or not so we’ll find out a little bit more about that tomorrow. Other than that, I think everything I hit yesterday, so with that I’ll just open it up.”

(Opening Remarks)

“Real proud of the way our team played in a lot of areas last night and I think we have something to build on from that. Let me go down the injury list here. First and foremost, I know you’re all interested in (WR) Donnie Avery. He does have an ACL tear there, what they’ll do is they’ll let it calm down. At some point he’ll have surgery, and it looks like we will lose him for the season, which is very unfortunate. He was having a terrific game. Donnie’s a quality guy and a character guy, and we’ll miss him. But he’ll be here with us, he’ll be doing some rehab before the surgery, and then hopefully we’ll get him back at some point. Some guys on our team have gone through it, so I’m sure Donnie will rely on them.”

Is there such a thing as a big preseason game? It sure felt like it tonight, as the Rams' starters outplayed New England's, and the subs came through in the end, to claim a 36-35 victory. New ownership, brilliant new starting QB, new offensive coordinator apparently replaced by the aliens who kidnapped the old one... it looks like the future is now in Rams Nation, and it doesn't look half bad.

Position by position:
* QB: Hard not to be excited about Sam Bradford (15-22-189, 2 TD, 125 passer rating) after a scintillating performance tonight against a blitz-heavy defense. With all due respect to the fairly-steady A.J. Feeley, Bradford should be the starter after tonight, should be starting Opening Day. He was FINALLY turned loose this week and made it pay off. A 32-yard zinger to Donnie Avery sparked the Rams’ first TD drive. Impressive velocity by Bradford, and an impressive catch by Avery, who I think was running post, but Bradford threw corner, so they met in the middle. Absolutely loved Bradford’s pocket presence tonight. He moved pretty well back there but especially stood tall with blitzers about to strike. His feet are good enough that he can scramble out of big trouble. Looks like he read the field all but perfectly. If he missed a blitz all night, it was on the play in the 1st that was briefly flagged for grounding. His overall composure was great. Billy Bajema and Laurent Robinson dropped passes on him in the 1st quarter but Sam didn’t get down. He got some of that karma back with Michael Hoomanawanui’s astounding, one-handed grab for 23 a little later. ANOTHER downfield throw. Bradford actually got sacked on one of his best plays of the night. A blitz was coming against an odd 4-wide formation, with the TEs lined up outside the receivers. Bradford’s looking for Bajema to cut off his route, but Billy’s not turning around, and Sam eats the ball.

Just rewatched the first half again, only instead of on my computer, this time in full 106" HD spendor.

Bradford did almost everything I was hoping to see him do. His decision making was excellent, he made throws to all parts of the field, showed a nice arm, made adjustments at the LOS, moved well in the pocket and looked to be in command of the offense.

I think he went to the right guy almost every time. The only mental errors from that standpoint I saw him make were on the one where he got away with an intentional grounding. He missed the blitz read on that one. The other was on the sack down in the redzone. That was another one where the Pats were bringing the house and he had his WR's all singled up. Avery was running to the back corner and on that one Sam just needs to get rid of the ball to the pylon where either Avery gets it or nobody does.

- QB Sam Bradford made his first NFL start and played through the first two quarters. He completed 15-of-22 passes (68.2 pct.) for 189 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Bradford completed his first six throws of the game and compiled a passer rating of 125.0.


- Bradford led the Rams on four scoring drives in six possessions in the first half.


- The Rams’ offensive line kept Bradford clean as he was sacked just once on the night. St. Louis allowed just two total sacks in the game.


- Josh Brown kicked a game-winning, 37-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give the Rams a 36-35 victory. Brown was a perfect 3-for-3 on the night and improved to 7-for-7 on the preseason.


- The Rams outgained the Patriots 241-106 net yards in the first half as St. Louis led 20-14 at the break. The Rams’ defense forced New England to go three-and-out three times in the opening half, and the Patriots were 0-for-4 on third down in the first half.

Robinson dropped a beautiful pass from Bradford.

Long's rush caused the sack for Robbins on a great inside move on the ROT....ending up at Brady's feet causing him to pull the ball down.

Fletcher hits like a ton....made a great play on Moss breaking up a 3rd down pass. Two tackles on special teams.

Darby blows the screen play by outrunning the blocking....might have been a TD....had to settle for a FG

Bradford looks like he's played for 10 years....yes it's only preseason...but it's been a long time we've seen QB play like this, preseason or regular season.

Rams are definitely bigger and more physical than they've been in years.