NFC West: Rams-Titans

Richie Incognito's road to ruin

December, 14, 2009
12/14/09
1:25
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Around the NFC West: Cut Incognito?

December, 14, 2009
12/14/09
8:15
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Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders if the Rams have hit bottom. He also says the Rams should cut Richie Incognito after the guard committed two more 15-yard penalties. Miklasz: "Both infractions came with Keith Null moving the offense and getting into a rhythm; Incognito's penalties put the rookie in desperate passing situations. It was an incredibly selfish and dumb thing to do to a rookie quarterback. Incognito should know better, of course, but maybe he's confused. After all, the Rams continue to accommodate this clown show. Any self-respecting organization with high standards and a code of conduct would boot Incognito out of Rams Park." Getting released from the Rams might come as a relief under the circumstances, but it does appear as though the organization needs to take a strong stand here.

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers a Rams report card featuring high marks for special-teams coordinator Tom McMahon, but not many others.

Also from Coats: Good luck stopping Chris Johnson.

More from Coats: The Rams played well on special teams.

Jeff Gordon of stltoday.com says Rams rookie Keith Null "put himself into the 2010 discussion" despite five interceptions. Null should ideally be the third quarterback next season.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Incognito had left the locker room by the time reporters had finished speaking with Spagnuolo. Guard Jacob Bell: "He claims he's innocent. So, we just have to go back and look at the film. When it starts getting chippy, they're going to look at the guy that they know sometimes causes that kind of stuff. So, whether he did it or he didn't do it, they're going to throw the flag on him. They calmed things down. You realize, 'Hey, they're going to throw a flag for anything now.' So you need to just be careful and realize that's how it's going."

Also from Thomas: The Titans showed the Rams how to play tough and physical. Rams defensive end Leonard Little: "They're bullies. They basically come with a bully attitude. They try to bully everyone they play. They do a good job at what they do. The coach [Jeff Fisher] played in the league. He knows what it takes to win games, and win games late in the season." Fisher on running up the score: "We settled for [field goals] early and we needed to learn to score touchdowns, and if they were unhappy with it -- they faked a punt when they were down by 30. I wasn't doing anything from a personal standpoint. I was trying to score points and coach a football team." With Incognito taking cheap shots and the Rams calling a fake punt, I can see why the Titans showed no mercy, even if they went a little overboard.

Wrap-up: Titans 47, Rams 7

December, 13, 2009
12/13/09
7:10
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It's tough to fully evaluate a team when its third-string rookie quarterback is throwing to receivers who weren't on the roster when the regular season started, all while the starting right guard is drawing multiple 15-yard penalties for head butts and late hits.

These are the Rams of Week 14. And it showed during a 47-7 loss at Tennessee.

Perhaps most troubling for the team: Some key players aren't getting a chance to develop while the losses pile up.

The Rams likely do not have their long-term quarterback on the roster. That left sixth-round choice Keith Null, a rookie, to start against the Titans when injuries prevented Marc Bulger or Kyle Boller from playing. The experience was valuable for Null, but probably not for the Rams' future.

The offensive line should be building momentum at this point, but rookie first-round choice Jason Smith missed another game to a concussion, and right guard Richie Incognito landed on the bench after two more personal foul penalties. With left tackle Alex Barron probably gone after this season, left guard Jacob Bell and center Jason Brown were the only sure-fire 2010 starting linemen getting work -- and they're the ones who need it the least.

Second-round linebacker James Laurinaitis and fourth-round defensive tackle Darell Scott are getting extensive playing time. But the Rams remain without third-round cornerback Bradley Fletcher and fifth-round receiver Brooks Foster, both on injured reserve, while a return date for Smith remains unknown. Linebacker David Vobora, a seventh-round choice in 2008, left the game Sunday with an apparent knee injury.

There was a time several weeks ago when the Rams appeared to be making strides. That time has clearly passed.

Up next: a home game against apparently rejuvenated Texans.

Incognito: Another foul, another benching

December, 13, 2009
12/13/09
5:29
PM ET
Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo is taking a stand against right guard Richie Incognito.

Incognito is back on the bench after yet another 15-yard penalty for a personal foul.

Spagnuolo briefly benched Incognito after the volatile guard head butted Titans' rookie Sen'Derrick Marks following a play. Marks and Incognito appeared to be engaged in typical post-play banter when Incognito launched the front of his helmet into Marks' helmet.

When Incognito returned to the game, he tagged Titans safety Vincent Fuller after, or at least toward, the end of a play. Like the hit Seattle's Aaron Curry put on the Texans' Jacoby Jones earlier Sunday, this one appeared unnecessary even if the play had not officially ended.

It seems as though we're seeing officials call more penalties on these types of plays.

Fox cameras showed Incognito defending his actions while speaking with Spagnuolo on the sideline after the second penalty. Spagnuolo apparently wasn't buying it.

Null not only backup QB in game

December, 13, 2009
12/13/09
5:09
PM ET
Titans quarterback Vince Young was running freely -- perhaps too freely -- through the Rams' defense.

He pulled up toward the end of the run and clutched the top of his right hamstring.

Young gained 44 yards on the play. He probably could have fought for more if the injury did not force him to the sideline. Kerry Collins is in the game at quarterback for Tennessee.

A game featuring top running backs Chris Johnson (two touchdowns already) and Steven Jackson also features two backup quarterbacks.

Rookie third-stringer Keith Null started for the Rams. Collins is now leading the Titans.

Null has passed for only 50 yards on 15 attempts, but he has avoided sacks and costly mistakes.

Rams briefly bench Incognito

December, 13, 2009
12/13/09
4:30
PM ET
Rams guard Richie Incognito is bolstering his reputation as one of the NFL's dirtiest players.

Officials flagged him for a 15-yard personal foul after Incognito head butted the Titans' Sen'Derrick Marks. Marks and Incognito appeared to be bantering after the play, but their exchange did not appear unusual until Incognito slammed his helmet into Marks' helmet.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo briefly benched Incognito, replacing him with Mark Setterstrom.

That is the right move. Intensity is fine, but Incognito crosses the line too frequently. No team can afford to risk regular 15-yard penalties.

Incognito simply cannot be trusted.

Rookie Null gets the start for Rams

December, 13, 2009
12/13/09
4:26
PM ET
In training camp, the Rams never could have anticipated taking a long look at sixth-round draft choice Keith Null during the regular season.

They are getting that chance in Week 14.

Null is starting for the Rams while Kyle Boller and Marc Bulger recover from injuries.

A strong performance would not mean a whole lot because the Rams likely will not go into next season with Null as a candidate to start. But if he can show them something, the team can feel better about its depth at the position. Null has completed 7 of 8 passes so far.
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