Season-in-review team reports — NFC
West
As published in print Feb. 6, 2002
2001 record: 14-2 |
| Overview |
| With its typically potent offense and a dramatically improved defense
under first-year coordinator Lovie Smith, the Rams won their second division title in
three years but came up short of their ultimate goal when they were upset by New England
in the Super Bowl. St. Louis joined the 1929-31 Packers as the only teams to open a season
6-0 three straight years. The Rams averaged an amazing 31.3 points a game, including
playoffs, and with eight new starters, they improved from 31st in 2000 to seventh in 2001
in points allowed. |
| Turning point |
| The Rams’ 42-10 win over Miami in Week Three was a totally
dominating performance over what was considered to be a very good Dolphins team,
especially on defense. The Rams’ offense made Miami’s great CB tandem of Sam
Madison and Patrick Surtain look very average. |
| Offensive MVP |
| Named as the league MVP by Pro Football Weekly and the Professional
Football Writers of America, RB Marshall Faulk became the first player ever to gain at
least 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four straight seasons and remained the glue to the
offensive attack, posing a threat wherever he lined up. He continued to frequently make
something out of nothing, taking handoffs with defenders in his face and still gaining
positive yardage the majority of the time. He’s also a great leader, like a coach on
the field, with a work ethic second to none and uncanny attention to detail, getting as
much pleasure from a good block as a 30-yard touchdown. |
| Defensive MVP |
| CB Aeneas Williams was a phenomenal pickup, quickly becoming the guiding
light on defense with big plays at the most opportune times. Williams was a natural
leader, a model citizen and a complete professional. His playoff performance against the
Packers was a record-breaking masterpiece, and he almost always was exactly where he was
supposed to be in the Rams’ cover-2 defense. Smith viewed Williams as the key cog in
this defense because he played as hard in practice as he did in games and was one of the
most studious players on the roster. |
| Biggest surprise |
| Second-round pick Tommey Polley’s draft stock dropped because he was
coming off an injury-plagued college career at Florida State, but he was outstanding at
outside linebacker for the Rams. Smith feels Polley has potential that parallels that of
Tampa Bay OLB Derrick Brooks. Polley replaced free-agent acquisition Mark Fields on the
weak side late in the season and was a steady playmaker. He might not have the frame of a
prototypical linebacker, but Polley has proved effective. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| The Rams spent each of their first-round draft picks on defense. DT
Damione Lewis was the top pick in St. Louis, but the former Miami Hurricanes standout was
unable to unseat second-year pro Brian Young for a starting job at tackle and then
suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 10 at New England. Lewis was working into the
line frequently in DL coach Bill Kollar’s constantly spinning rotation and played OK
when he was not injured, but not well enough to start over Young. The Rams had higher
expectations for the No. 12 overall pick. |
| Rookie recap |
| In the rotating front, Lewis was a steady and semi-valuable body. SS Adam
Archuleta did a good job as a starter and played through some injuries. The other
first-rounder, DT Ryan Pickett, saw increased playing time as the season wore on and
figures to eventually replace starter Jeff Zgonina, the team’s top run stuffer.
Fifth-round CB Jerametrius Butler showed surprising cover skills and looks like another
find by general manger Charley Armey late in the draft. Fourth-round WR Milton Wynn,
however, was a bust. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| Williams was to the defense what Faulk was to the offense. Don Davis was
a solid performer on the strong side. Fields had rib problems and gave way to Polley,
though he still saw time as a reserve. FS Kim Herring struggled early but came on late.
Ex-Buc Tyoka Jackson was a versatile role player at both defensive tackle and end. |
| Team leaders |
Rushing — Marshall Faulk, 1,382 yards on 260 carries, 5.3 avg., 12
TDs.
Passing — Kurt Warner, 375-546 attempts for 4,830 yards, 36 TDs, 22 interceptions,
101.4 rating.
Receiving — Marshall Faulk, 83 receptions for 765 yards, 9.2 avg., 9 TDs.
Scoring — Marshall Faulk, 128 points on 21 TDs, 1 two-point conversion.
Kickoff returns — Trung Canidate, 36 for 748 yards, 20.8 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Az-Zahir Hakim, 36 for 330 yards, 9.2 avg., 0 TDs.
Punting — John Baker, 43 for 42.1 avg., 34.9 net, 7 TB, 9 inside 20, 0 blk., 58L.
Interceptions — Dre’ Bly, 6 for 150 yards, 25.0 avg., 2 TDs.
Sacks — Leonard Little, 14½. |
| Results |
Pointspread Shown Refers to St. Louis.
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 9 |
At Philadelphia |
(-3) |
20-17* |
| Sept. 23 |
At San Francisco |
(-6.5) |
30-26 |
| Sept. 30 |
Miami |
(-6) |
42-10 |
| Oct. 8 |
At Detroit |
(-13.5) |
35-0 |
| Oct. 14 |
New York Giants |
(-12.5) |
15-14 |
| Oct. 21 |
At New York Jets |
(-7) |
34-14 |
| Oct. 28 |
New Orleans |
(-10.5) |
31-34 |
| Nov. 4 |
BYE |
|
|
| Nov. 11 |
Carolina |
(-20) |
48-14 |
| Nov. 18 |
At New England |
(-8) |
24-17 |
| Nov. 26 |
Tampa Bay |
(-9.5) |
17-24 |
| Dec. 2 |
At Atlanta |
(-7.5) |
35-6 |
| Dec. 9 |
San Francisco |
(-7) |
27-14 |
| Dec. 17 |
At New Orleans |
(-6) |
34-21 |
| Dec. 23 |
At Carolina |
(-12) |
38-32 |
| Dec. 30 |
Indianapolis |
(-11.5) |
42-17 |
| Jan. 6 |
Atlanta |
(-15) |
31-13 |
| Postseason |
|
|
|
| Jan. 20 |
Green Bay |
(-11) |
45-17 |
| Jan. 27 |
Philadelphia |
(-10) |
29-24 |
| Feb. 3 |
New England (SB) |
(-14) |
17-20 |
* Overtime |
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