http://www.bnd.com/2011/10/03/1884588/bradford-subjected-to-another.html
Posted on Mon, Oct. 03, 2011
Bradford subjected to another beating; Rams QB sacked 7 times
BY STEVE KORTE
News-Democrat
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford is getting frustrated with not having enough time to throw the football.
Bradford was sacked seven times in the Rams' 17-10 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
He's now been sacked 18 times in four games this season, putting him on pace for 72 sacks. That would be only four less than the NFL record of 76 sacks set by Houston's David Carr in 2002.
"I'm not going to lie, it is getting frustrating just from the fact when we put ourselves in situations early in the game where we get behind, we have to got throw the ball to get ourselves back in the game and we've got to pick up chunks of yards," Bradford said. "In order to do that, in order to put points on the board, you have to have time to go through the progressions and read it.
"I'm not saying there weren't times today where I could have gotten the ball out quicker. I'm definitely going to have to look at the film and see that, too. But, we've got to be better (in pass protection)."
The Rams' offense has continued to sputter this season. They've produced only one touchdown in each game.
Bradford said the Rams need to be able to stretch the field if they want to put up more points.
"At some point, you have to be able to throw the ball down the field," Bradford said. "And, in order to do that, you have to have time to read out the routes because they take time to develop. We have two weeks to get it figured out before we play next. That's one area that we definitely need to be better at."
Bradford was sacked on back-to-back plays in Washington territory when the game-tying touchdown looked within reach with about five minutes left in the game.
"We just have to go out there and take care of it," Rams left tackle Rodger Saffold said of the pass protection problems. "It's just as simple as that. It will come, it will come. We just have to go back to the drawing board and fix our mistakes."
Bradford said he was no worse for the wear after taking another beating.
"I'm fine," Bradford said. "My body feels like it does after most game. I'm a little sore, but nothing major."
Running back Steven Jackson said the Rams' quarterbacks have taken too much punishment in recent years.
"The quarterbacks have been hit far too long around here, and that is a concern," Jackson said.
Fair catch or fair game
Rams rookie Austin Pettis sustained three bone-jarring hits on three punt returns where it probably would have been prudent to call for a fair catch.
"Just trying to make a play, seeing if I could help the team out with returns, but I didn't really get the opportunity," Pettis said.
Pettis muffed two of the punts, but the Redskins were called for 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalties on both of them.
"A little bit, but that comes with playing football," Pettis said of being dazed after being hit so hard. "You have to expect to be hit. You have to bounce back and keep playing the game, and that's what I tried to do."
Despite his travails on the punt returns, Pettis had four catches for 32 yards as a wide receiver.
Posted on Mon, Oct. 03, 2011
Bradford subjected to another beating; Rams QB sacked 7 times
BY STEVE KORTE
News-Democrat
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford is getting frustrated with not having enough time to throw the football.
Bradford was sacked seven times in the Rams' 17-10 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
He's now been sacked 18 times in four games this season, putting him on pace for 72 sacks. That would be only four less than the NFL record of 76 sacks set by Houston's David Carr in 2002.
"I'm not going to lie, it is getting frustrating just from the fact when we put ourselves in situations early in the game where we get behind, we have to got throw the ball to get ourselves back in the game and we've got to pick up chunks of yards," Bradford said. "In order to do that, in order to put points on the board, you have to have time to go through the progressions and read it.
"I'm not saying there weren't times today where I could have gotten the ball out quicker. I'm definitely going to have to look at the film and see that, too. But, we've got to be better (in pass protection)."
The Rams' offense has continued to sputter this season. They've produced only one touchdown in each game.
Bradford said the Rams need to be able to stretch the field if they want to put up more points.
"At some point, you have to be able to throw the ball down the field," Bradford said. "And, in order to do that, you have to have time to read out the routes because they take time to develop. We have two weeks to get it figured out before we play next. That's one area that we definitely need to be better at."
Bradford was sacked on back-to-back plays in Washington territory when the game-tying touchdown looked within reach with about five minutes left in the game.
"We just have to go out there and take care of it," Rams left tackle Rodger Saffold said of the pass protection problems. "It's just as simple as that. It will come, it will come. We just have to go back to the drawing board and fix our mistakes."
Bradford said he was no worse for the wear after taking another beating.
"I'm fine," Bradford said. "My body feels like it does after most game. I'm a little sore, but nothing major."
Running back Steven Jackson said the Rams' quarterbacks have taken too much punishment in recent years.
"The quarterbacks have been hit far too long around here, and that is a concern," Jackson said.
Fair catch or fair game
Rams rookie Austin Pettis sustained three bone-jarring hits on three punt returns where it probably would have been prudent to call for a fair catch.
"Just trying to make a play, seeing if I could help the team out with returns, but I didn't really get the opportunity," Pettis said.
Pettis muffed two of the punts, but the Redskins were called for 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalties on both of them.
"A little bit, but that comes with playing football," Pettis said of being dazed after being hit so hard. "You have to expect to be hit. You have to bounce back and keep playing the game, and that's what I tried to do."
Despite his travails on the punt returns, Pettis had four catches for 32 yards as a wide receiver.