Redskins @ Rams

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TIME: 01:00 P.M. EST

VENUE: Edward Jones Dome

 

 

 

The Washington Redskins seem to be putting a controversy involving DeAngelo Hall and the coaching staff behind them.

 

Steve Spagnuolo and the St. Louis Rams, meanwhile, are enduring a barrage of criticism due to the team's winless start.

 

Spagnuolo earned his first home win as Rams coach last season against the Redskins, and these teams will meet for the fourth straight season Sunday in St. Louis.

 

Washington (2-1) missed a chance at its first 3-0 start since 2005 with Monday's 18-16 loss at Dallas in its first road game. The Redskins blew a 16-9 second-half lead and have lamented an all-out blitz on third-and-21 that resulted in Dez Bryant's 30-yard reception that led to the Cowboys' winning field goal.

 

Hall was victimized by Bryant, and was also whistled for a facemask penalty on the play that he later disputed. The cornerback was more notably displeased with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's decision to blitz in that situation.

 

"Sooner or later, someone's going to (expletive) figure it out," Hall said. "You don't have to be a (expletive) rocket scientist to figure it out after a while."

 

Hall said Wednesday that he met with Haslett and coach Mike Shanahan and came away understanding why Haslett - the Rams' interim coach for the final 12 games in 2008 - called for an all-out blitz. Hall said he "might have been a little overzealous" in his remarks.

 

Spagnuolo, meanwhile, came to St. Louis (0-3) in 2009 after a successful two-year stint as the New York Giants defensive coordinator. His defense, however, is allowing 440.7 yards per game for the NFC's worst mark.

 

"It's disappointing, but we've been through a lot of low times," said defensive end Chris Long, who has a team-high 3.0 sacks. "We've got some guys that are going to be resilient, because we've been in bad situations before."

 

St. Louis has the second-worst point differential in the league, having been outscored by 60. The Rams fell behind by three touchdowns in the first quarter of last week's 37-7 home loss to Baltimore.

 

Spagnuolo is considered an excellent motivator, and he spoke with St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa about battling adversity.

 

"You don't worry about stats or any of that stuff; you just worry about winning a game," Spagnuolo told the Rams' official website. "This particular year the next team on the schedule is Washington so that's what we'll focus on."

 

The Rams lost their first seven games in Spagnuolo's first season.

 

Last year's NFC offensive rookie of the year, Sam Bradford, has been sacked 11 times in 2011 to tie for fourth place in the league. He's got two touchdown passes this year and could get Danny Amendola back after the wide receiver missed the last two games with a dislocated left elbow.

 

Amendola is trying to wear a different kind of brace this week in hopes of returning.

 

Bradford will have pleasant memories of his first victory, 30-16 over Washington last Sept. 26. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and one interception as the Rams scored 16 unanswered points in Shanahan's first road game as Redskins coach.

 

Steven Jackson, who returned last week after missing a game right quadriceps injury, had 10 carries for 58 yards and a score in that contest.

 

These teams also traded two-point victories in Washington in 2008 and 2009, and Shanahan expects the Rams to be prepared.

 

"We're going against a team that is going to give us their best shot because they were embarrassed last week as well," Shanahan told the Redskins' official website. "We know we're going into their place and we'll get an opponent that is well-rested and ready to go."

 

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.

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Redskins declared WR Anthony Armstrong, WR Leonard Hankerson, CB Brandyn Thompson, FB Darrel Young, LB Markus White, OT Willie Smith and DL Darrion Scott inactive for Week 4 against the Rams.

 

A situational deep threat, Armstrong is inactive with a hamstring injury. Terrence Austin and Donte' Stallworth could see an increase in looks in his absence.

 

Veteran Mike Sellers should take Young's place at fullback.

 

CB DeJon Gomes is active despite being limited all week in practice with a hamstring injury.

 

 

 

Rams declared WR Danny Amendola, WR Greg Salas, RB Jerious Norwood, CB Roderick Hood, LB Jabara Williams, TE Stephen Spach and DE C.J. Ah You inactive for Week 4 against the Redskins.

 

As expected, both Steven Jackson (quad) and Cadillac Williams (hamstring) are active, as is TE Michael Hoomanawanui (back).

 

Williams is extremely unlikely to out-carry Jackson for the second straight week with Jackson believed to be as healthy as he's been since Week 1.

 

The fact that third-string RB Norwood is inactive indicates the Rams are confident both Jackson and Williams should be able to hold up this afternoon.

 

Danny Amendola (elbow) should return after the Rams' Week 5 bye. Greg Salas finds himself inactive in favor of Austin Pettis for the second straight week.

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healthy Steven Jackson will help a lot. It'll take a bit of attention off Bradford so he can get it down to his bigger options.