Wilkins helps Rams win Monday night
By Rams Nation's Oscar F Lopez
The balanced attack in the last few weeks shows character and determination
to succeed. And add the perfect home record and we have a team that is showing
signs of a rebirth of 1999.
Coming into the contest with Browns, the Rams were being questioned by the
media about how they would fair in the cold setting of Cleveland, Ohio. But
since week 5 this team has played decent football on the road, and has improved
their road record above the five hundred mark. With Jeff Wilkins having come
through in the last 3 weeks, the Rams have been on fire and have shown that
they can trust their kicker to bail them out in the trenches if need be.
The outstanding play of the defensive unit in the last couple weeks from Leonard Little, Tyoka Jackson and Pisa Tinoisamoa has shown that this team is gearing
up for the playoff push. And add the secondary forced turnovers from Aeneas Williams and Adam Archuleta and Lovie Smith is just loving it.
The Rams with the victory now have a two game lead over the visiting Seahawks,
who come to town next week. Some outstanding plays were made tonight that truly
exemplified the dedication of the whole team.
With Marc Bulger, Isaac Bruce, and Jeff Wilkins leading the way, the Rams beat
the Browns 26-20. Marc Bulger completed 22 of 26 for 223 yards and one touchdown.
Isaac Bruce was 3 for 31 yards and a touchdown. Marshall Faulk also gathered
24 carries for 102 yards. This was Torry Holt's first under 100 yards outing
this season. Wilkins had field goals of 26,28,29 and 37 yards.
The contributions of Dane Looker and Mike Furrey have really impacted how the
offensive unit will play in the coming weeks. If these guys can explode offensively,
watch out NFC. Furrey and Looker had 6 catches for 78 yards combined.
The game balls go out to two of the best players that any team would want.
Even the lowly Browns. Aeneas Williams played great football and changed the
momentum of the game before the half. Coach Martz added, "All I can say
is, he is Aeneas. He makes plays in clutch situations." He had good anticipation
on the ball. And it does help when you have a horrible quarterback on the opposing
team like Kelly Holcomb. Holcomb was 10 of 17 for 80 yards and two interceptions.
Williams had the two interceptions. Replaced by Tim Couch with seventeen seconds
left before the half, Kelly Holcomb stated after the game."To give up 14
points like that is unforgivable. It's all on me." One was for 46 yards
with 1:46 left before the half, which ended up in a touchdown. And the second
was for 27 yds.
The other gameball goes to the "Gateway Monster" as he will be called
from this game forward, Leonard Little. Great play on Holcomb in the second
quarter on a forced fumble and a sack for 8 yard loss. And good pass rush all
game long. He kind of reminds me of Kevin Green but faster.
For the Browns this was too little to late. They were in the game from the
start. But costly turnovers truly killed their Monday Night showing since 1995.
Tim Couch tried desperately to rally the team in the fourth quarter but was
not successful. Couch was 6 of 9 for 98 yards and one touchdown. Coach Davis
was not happy with the outing and refused to comment on his quarterback clowns.
With plenty of offseason changes coming in Cleveland, the fans just can wait
for better things to come. Hey at least Lebron James was there.
Hats off to the whole Rams team for a good solid outing. The durability of
Jeff Wilkins and the defensive unit combining for 5 sacks and forcing 4 turnovers
is just what this team will need to continue onto the goal next week at home.
The monkey is on Marc Bulger's back. He needs to stop the bleeding and beat
the lowly Seahawks at the Dome once and for all. With the NFC west crown on
the line. Let's hope he can finally beat the Seattle scare.
The Field Goal