SB Nation St. Louis: All Posts by Chris Whitehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49009/stl-fave.png2012-12-31T11:58:56-06:00https://stlouis.sbnation.com/authors/chris-white/rss2012-12-31T11:58:56-06:002012-12-31T11:58:56-06:00Rams vs. Seahawks 2012: Roller coaster season ends
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<figcaption>Kevin Casey</figcaption>
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<p>The Rams ended their roller coaster of a season with a roller coaster of a game.</p> <p>St. Louis came very close to earning a win in their Week 17 game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> on Sunday, but just fell short in the end as they ended their season with a 7-9 record, outside of the playoff picture. It was a close game, decided more by St. Louis penalties and mistakes than it was by Seattle's usually fiery offense. In the end, the Rams were on the wrong side of the scoreline, but there were plenty of moments that made it look like it could go either way.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/12/30/3819518/almost-there-again">Turf Show Times</a> said that the final game of the season mirrored the season itself quite well, as both resembled a long and bumpy roller coaster ride:</p>
<blockquote>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> marched into Seattle, and just like in 2010 when the Rams had 7 wins hoping for an 8th, they lost. This game, which ended 13-20, had all the elements that the St. Louis Rams struggled and thrived with all season. There was a missed kick, penalty flags flying everywhere, the defense playing good and then letting up late,and the Rams offense not scoring 20 points again.
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<p>So just like the majority of this season, this game was a roller coaster.</p>
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<p>St. Louis has earned the No. 16 pick in the NFL draft, and will also get Washington's first pick in the draft thanks to the trade that landed <span>Robert Griffin III</span> in the nation's capital. Until the draft, it will be a hopefully far less roller coaster-esque off-season for the Rams.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/12/31/3821956/seahawks-vs-rams-week-17Chris White2012-12-28T11:00:07-06:002012-12-28T11:00:07-06:00Steven Jackson talks retirement
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Running back Steven Jackson mentioned a possible retirement after his Rams beat the Buccaneers in Week 16.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> got back to winning ways on Sunday with a 28-13 win over the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>, but it was too little, too late to save the season. Steven Jackson had another fine day on the field, and he will only need 10 yards to break 1000. It will be his eighth straight 1000-yard season if he makes it, a feat that very few running backs have ever accomplished.</p>
<p>With the team he has not looking much like a Super Bowl contender any time soon, the 29-year-old could test the waters of free agency during the off-season thanks to his new contract. After comments Jackson made following the Rams win over the Bucs, it sounded like <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/12/28/3811014/st-louis-rams-steven-jackson-retire">there could be another option on the table: retirement</a>.</p>
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<p>"I will allow myself that time to sit back and reflect, think about the things I've accomplished in my career, what I've done this season and think about how much longer I want to play the game as well," Jackson said Thursday after practice.</p>
<p>(...)</p>
<p>A first-round pick in 2004, Jackson has nine seasons of wear and tear. It's starting to manifest itself through a cascade of nagging injuries. Just how many seasons does he have left?</p>
<p>"Maybe this last one," Jackson confessed. "Those hits hurt."</p>
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<p>Running backs are generally known to hit a wall of sorts around age 30 where their skills begin to decline, with their position being one of the more rough-and-tumble positions one can play in football. He will turn 30 next July and no matter what team he ends up with, an every-down back like Jackson will probably not last more than a few more seasons in the NFL -- what he decides to do with those last few potential seasons is yet to be seen.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/12/28/3811254/steven-jackson-retirement-2013Chris White2012-12-23T07:01:47-06:002012-12-23T07:01:47-06:00Rams vs. Bucs: Game time, TV and more
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<figcaption>Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Rams will head to Florida to take on Tampa Bay on Sunday.</p> <p>Two of the more disappointing teams in the NFL will face off on Sunday when the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> head to Florida to face the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>. Both teams enter Sunday's penultimate game of the season with six wins, St. Louis having one fewer loss only because of a rare tie on their record.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay has dropped four games in a row, with its most recent defeat coming 41-0 at the hands of the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a>. The Rams are only on a single-game losing streak at the moment, but have actually won three of their last four games with victories over the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bills</a> and <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a>.</p>
<p>The running game will provide sparks in the matchup between rookie <span>Doug Martin</span>, who is currently third in the NFL with 1,647 yards from scrimmage, and perennial star Steven Jackson, who missed practice this week but is still expected to get the start for St. Louis.</p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time</b>: Sunday, Dec. 23, Noon CT</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.</p>
<p><b>TV Schedule</b><br>National: FOX</p>
<p><b>TV Distribution Map</b>: <a href="http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/">The506.com</a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/12/23/3791964/bucs-rams-2012-schedule-game-time-tv-injury-updatesChris White2012-12-09T07:00:35-06:002012-12-09T07:00:35-06:00Rams vs. Bills: Preview, TV and more
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Rams will head to NY to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.</p> <p>There is still a chance, however small, that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> will be able to sneak into the playoffs. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> are just about out of the race, but have a small chance as well -- of course, both teams would need to win the rest of their games to even try and entertain the notion. The Rams will head out to western New York on Sunday to face off against the Bills in a battle of two very middling teams in the NFL this year.</p>
<p>Both teams have struggled with occasional defensive problems as well as shaky offensive play from the quarterbacking position this season. Buffalo's rushing offense will be a key point in the match-up, with <span>C.J. Spiller</span> and <span>Fred Jackson</span> almost guaranteed to carry their way to a great performance as they do every week. Steven Jackson will be the counter-attack for the Rams.</p>
<p>With both teams struggling defensively but with solid running games, there will certainly be some points and yards put up.</p>
<p><b>Game Time</b>: Sunday, Dec. 9, Noon CT</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo, NY</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: CBS</p>
<p><b>Distribution Map</b>: <a href="http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/">The 506</a></p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/12/9/3725536/bills-rams-2012-schedule-game-time-tv-injury-updatesChris White2012-11-26T10:58:11-06:002012-11-26T10:58:11-06:00Janoris Jenkins makes Rams history
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>With two interceptions returned for touchdowns, rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins made St. Louis Rams history on Sunday during their win over Arizona.</p> <p><span>Janoris Jenkins</span> made <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> history on Sunday with his two-touchdown game. The cornerback returned two interceptions into the end zone, a 36-yard return and a 39-yard return, becoming the first-ever Rams defender to put together two interceptions for points in a game in franchise history only 10 games into his career with the team.</p>
<p>Not only were the interceptions in St. Louis' 31-17 win over the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a>' history making, but they were also big boosts for the team after several weeks of less than stellar play. His first pick for a TD was the first takeaway by a Rams defender in five games.</p>
<p>The two-TD game by Jenkins was also the first by a rookie since 1960, and only the third ever by a rookie in NFL history.</p>
<p>St. Louis won't complain if they get a similar performance out of Jenkins next weekend, when they face the NFC East leading <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a>.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/11/26/3693128/janoris-jenkins-st-louis-rams-historyChris White2012-11-06T07:02:06-06:002012-11-06T07:02:06-06:00Rams vs. 49ers: Rodgers Saffold could return
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<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>Rodger Saffold could return to the Rams for their game against the San Francisco 49ers.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> went through their bye week hoping to get a bit healthier for their upcoming game against the division rival <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a>. <span>Danny Amendola</span> might get back on the field following his clavicle injury after being a game-time decision against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a> in Week 8, but the offensive line might get a boost<a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/amendola-saffold-practice-rams-get-four-days-off/article_7410442d-f875-5b31-a6aa-ae6df3b70dc8.html"> as well, with the possible return of Rodger Saffold.</a></p>
<p>Saffold took place in practice on Thursday and is likely to continue practicing throughout the week in anticipation of the 49ers game. If he plays, he'll shore up the offensive line against a solid 49ers defense.</p>
<p>There were rumors recently regarding Saffold perhaps moving to guard instead of his natural position of tackle but, following the Patriots game, <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/10/31/3581476/rams-will-keep-rodger-saffold-at-tackle">head coach Jeff Fisher nipped those rumors in the bud </a>by confirming Saffold would indeed stay at tackle.</p>
<p>St. Louis will take on the 49ers on Sunday at Candlestick Park.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/11/6/3608102/rodger-saffold-injury-report-week-10Chris White2012-11-05T10:19:52-06:002012-11-05T10:19:52-06:00Bowl projections: Bama vs. Oregon in Championship
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<figcaption>Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Alabama and Oregon are projected to meet in the BCS National Championship game by SB Nation.</p> <p>NCAA's college football season is starting to come near its closing weeks, and the Bowl pictures are starting to get a little more clear every week. The National Championship game looks to be nearly set in stone unless the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide" class="sbn-auto-link">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> or <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oregon-ducks" class="sbn-auto-link">Oregon Ducks</a> screw up in the final few weeks, as the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/11/4/3597716/bowl-projections-2012-college-football-bowls-games-alabama-oregon">SB Nation Bowl Projections</a> have them meeting in the big game at the end of the year.</p>
<p>In the other BCS Bowls, the projections have Oklahoma taking on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Florida State meeting Louisville in the Orange Bowl, and USC taking on Nebraska in the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>Past the BCS Bowls, there are still a couple of interesting matches being projected. SB Nation's pick of Texas taking on Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl would be the revival of a rivalry that went dormant this season with A&M in the SEC. Clemson and South Carolina meeting in the Chick Fil'A Bowl would be another rivalry game.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/2012/11/5/3603418/2012-ncaa-bowl-projectionsChris White2012-11-05T08:30:50-06:002012-11-05T08:30:50-06:00NFL injury: Rams could get Amendola back
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<figcaption>Joe Robbins</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Rams suffered no injuries during their bye week but did have a chance to get a bit healthier.</p> <p>Being on their bye week, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a> obviously didn't suffer any injuries during Week 9 of NFL action. However, the banged up team is able to say that it got a couple of names closer to being back on the field for Week 10, specifically injured wide receiver <span>Danny Amendola</span>.</p>
<p>Amendola was held out of St. Louis' Week 8 game against the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> in London with the clavicle injury that had knocked him out since Week 5, but he was a game-time decision that week. His recovery was seen as well ahead of schedule with that announcement, so he's expected to at least get a long look at a start in Week 10.</p>
<p>Four other Rams were listed as "questionable" on the official Rams injury report before their game against the Patriots, so they will have also gotten a while to get ready for the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a>. <span>Rodger Saffold</span> and <span>Eugene Sims</span> were both held out of that game, but no word is out on whether or not they'll be ready for Week 10 action.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/11/5/3602958/nfl-injury-report-rams-week-9Chris White2012-10-29T22:59:49-05:002012-10-29T22:59:49-05:00Rams vs. Patriots: Defense 'confused' against NE
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<figcaption>Jamie McDonald</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Rams defense looked confused against the New England Patriots offense, one of the big reasons they got blown out in Wembley Stadium.</p> <p>Wembley Stadium hosted an absolute blowout over the weekend as the New England Patriots put a 45-7 smack-down on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a><span class="sbn-auto-link"> in London</span>. The game was expected to be a Pats victory before kickoff, but it was a lot bigger than anyone expected, mostly due to the surprisingly porous Rams defense.</p>
<p>Injuries hit the Rams prior to the game, but <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/10/29/3568158/rams-get-gronked-in-london-defensive-review">Rams blog Turf Show Times was more concerned by how confused the defense </a>appeared against <span>Tom Brady's</span> offense. They blitzed very little, fell for obvious tricks by the offense and missed assignments all night long:</p>
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<p>More than once Tom Brady and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a> offense confused the Rams. People didn't know who to cover. Assignments were missed. Tom Brady isn't a player who will let those mistakes slide. He's going to take advantage of any opportunity he is given.</p>
<p>Pass Interference to extend the drive? <b>Touchdown</b>. Defense oblivious to a fake spike? <b>Near Touchdown. </b>Gronk defended by a DT? <b>Touchdown. </b>We all expected this game to be closer because we didn't expect the Rams to be so confused on defense.</p>
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<p>The loss dropped St. Louis to 3-5 on the season, with many of the losses coming in just as frustrating a manner as the big loss in London did for Rams fans. St. Louis will have a chance to get back on track with a bye week coming up before they head into a big division rivalry game against the high-flying <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a>.</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/10/29/3574752/rams-patriots-2012Chris White2012-10-29T22:04:22-05:002012-10-29T22:04:22-05:002013 World Series odds: Cardinals near top of pack
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The St. Louis Cardinals have 14/1 odds to win the World Series next season, according to Bovada.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco Giants</a> won the 2012 World Series, but the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> made a fine run during their attempt to take two titles in a row. <a href="http://sports.bovada.lv/sports-betting/baseball-futures.jsp">Bovada has already released next year's odds for the World Series</a>, and the Cardinals are up near the top of the pack following their solid, if unspectacular, 2012 campaign. St. Louis has 14/1 odds, tied for the seventh-highest odds in the league.</p>
<p>After their strong 2012 run to the Series, the Tigers have the highest odds at 6/1. At the bottom of the pack are the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a>, who have 100/1 odds following yet another 100-loss season.</p>
<p>Here are the odds for the 2013 World Series:</p>
<p>Detroit Tigers: 6/1</p>
<p>New York Yankees: 7/1</p>
<p>San Francisco Giants: 10/1</p>
<p>Texas Rangers: 12/1</p>
<p>Washington Nationals: 12/1</p>
<p>Los Angeles Angels: 12/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Phillies</a>: 14/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a>: 14/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a>: 14/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a>: 14/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a>: 18/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a>: 20/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a>: 22/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>: 25/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a>: 25/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Brewers</a>: 25/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>: 25/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a>: 28/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>: 30/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a>: 35/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a>: 40/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Marlins</a>: 40/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a>: 40/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Padres</a>: 60/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a>: 66/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a>: 75/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a>: 75/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rockies</a>: 75/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a>: 75/1</p>
<p><a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a>: 150/1</p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-cardinals/2012/10/29/3574580/2013-world-series-odds-cardinalsChris White