2000 season-in-review team reports —
NFC West
As published in print Jan. 31, 2001
|
| Overview |
| The Rams had the same high-powered offense that earned them the
championship crown last season, setting league records for net passing yards (5,232) and
completion percentage (64.74) and a franchise record for completions (380). But despite
the return of 10 starters, their defense dropped from sixth to 23rd and allowed 30 points
per game — the most ever by a playoff team. Rams head coach Mike Martz first became
concerned about his team’s defensive deficiencies in the third preseason game. And
even with the team at 5-0 entering its bye week, Martz believed big-time trouble beckoned
unless his defense and special teams showed major improvement. |
| Turning point |
| The season definitely took a turn for the worse when QB Kurt Warner broke
the pinky finger on his throwing hand in Week Eight after taking an awkward snap from
backup C Steve Everitt. While backup Trent Green did a good job as the starter (15-5
TD-interception ratio in five-plus-game stretch), the Rams went 2-3 without Warner and at
times seemed out of sync. It didn’t help that RB Marshall Faulk missed two games
while Warner was out. |
| Offensive MVP |
| Marshall Faulk had another all-world season. He scored an NFL-record 26
touchdowns, rushed for a career-high 1,359 yards and surpassed 2,000 total yards from
scrimmage (2,189) for the third straight season. Just think what his numbers might have
been had he not missed two games because of arthroscopic knee surgery and had his workload
decreased in two other games because of the injury. Faulk also excelled at other aspects
of the position, such as picking up blitzes. And nobody has a better grasp of the offense. |
| Defensive MVP |
| MLB London Fletcher deserved to make the Pro Bowl after setting a
franchise record with 193 tackles. He also registered 5½ sacks, four interceptions, 10
passes defensed and nine QB pressures. As an every-down linebacker, Fletcher improved his
pass coverage and was by far the most spirited performer on the defense. |
| Biggest surprise |
| After a tremendous rookie season, big things were expected of WR Torry
Holt. But nobody expected Holt to lead the NFL in receiving yards (1,635), especially with
Isaac Bruce in the same lineup. Though Holt dropped some passes on occasion and was slowed
by a foot injury in the playoffs, for the most part, he was outstanding. |
| Biggest disappointments |
| Take your pick between DE Kevin Carter, who spent much of the season
sulking and underachieving after failing to land a lucrative contract extension, and CB
Todd Lyght, who proved to be a season-long liability after skipping the team’s
offseason conditioning program and spring minicamps, as well as two weeks of training
camp. After leading the league with 17 sacks in ’99, Carter registered 10½ sacks in
2000; his QB pressures dropped from 59 to 36. Lyght paid the price for being out of shape
by getting injured in the season opener. |
| Rookie recap |
| The Rams didn’t go into the 2000 draft expecting to land any impact
players — and they certainly didn’t get any. First-round pick Trung Canidate was
supposed to reduce Marshall Faulk’s workload with occasional spot duty, but he
couldn’t stay healthy. CB Jacoby Shepherd (second round) played sparingly in one of
the league’s worst secondaries. OL John St. Clair (third round) was inactive for
every game, and OLs Kaulana Noa (fourth round) and Andrew Kline (seventh round) landed on
injured reserve early in the season. S Matt Bowen (sixth round) started two games but
failed to distinguish himself. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| Obtained in a trade with the Colts, rookie P John Baker did a better job
than any of the Rams’ punters last season but still had his lapses. Reserve DL Sean
Moran displayed decent quickness both inside and outside, but he didn’t make nearly
enough plays when he was in the lineup. |
Top of page
|
Regular-season record: 10-6
|
| Team leaders |
|
Rushing — Marshall
Faulk, 1,359 yards on 253 carries, 5.4 avg., 18 TDs.
Passing — Kurt
Warner, 235-347 attempts for 3,429 yards, 21 TDs, 18 interceptions, 98.3 rating.
Receiving — Isaac
Bruce, 87 receptions for 1,471 yards, 16.9 avg., 9 TDs.
Scoring — Marshall
Faulk, 160 points on 26 TDs and 2 two-point conversions.
Kickoff returns — Tony
Horne, 57 for 1,379 yards, 24.2 avg., 1 TD.
Punt returns — Az-Zahir
Hakim, 32 for 489 yards, 15.3 avg., 1 TD.
Punting — John
Baker, 43 for 40.4 avg., 34.2 net, 5 TB, 13 inside 20, 1 blk., 59L.
Interceptions — Dexter
McCleon, 8 for 28 yards, 3.5 avg., 0 TDs.
Sacks — Grant
Wistrom, 11. |
| Results |
|
| Pointspread Shown Refers to St. Louis. |
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 4 |
Denver |
(-6.5) |
41-36 |
| Sept. 10 |
At Seattle |
(-8.5) |
37-34 |
| Sept. 17 |
San Francisco |
(-17) |
41-24 |
| Sept. 24 |
At Atlanta |
(-7) |
41-20 |
| Oct. 1 |
San Diego |
(-17) |
57-31 |
| Oct. 8 |
BYE |
|
|
| Oct. 15 |
Atlanta |
(-17.5) |
45-29 |
| Oct. 22 |
At Kansas City |
(-6.5) |
34-54 |
| Oct. 29 |
At San Francisco |
(-6) |
34-24 |
| Nov. 5 |
Carolina |
(-13.5) |
24-27 |
| Nov. 12 |
At New York Giants |
(0) |
38-24 |
| Nov. 20 |
Washington |
(-6) |
20-33 |
| Nov. 26 |
New Orleans |
(-14) |
24-31 |
| Dec. 3 |
At Carolina |
(-7.5) |
3-16 |
| Dec. 10 |
Minnesota |
(-3.5) |
40-29 |
| Dec. 18 |
At Tampa Bay |
(-2.5) |
35-38 |
| Dec. 24 |
At New Orleans |
(-4) |
26-21 |
| POSTSEASON |
| Dec. 30 |
At New Orleans |
(-6.5) |
28-31 |
|
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