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By Brett Grassmuck
Stlouisrams.com

The Rams defense came up with its first takeaway of the preseason against the Raiders, but a multitude of penalties led to a 20-10 loss to Oakland in the Rams second-to-last preseason game.

The Rams racked up 157 yards on 10 penalties, seven of which came on defense. Several of the penalties came in crucial third-down situations or led directly to points for the Raiders.

It was a rough night for Rams defensive backs. Cornerback Tye Hill was flagged three times during the contest, twice for pass interference and once for illegal use of the hands. Safety Corey Chavous was flagged in the endzone for pass interference which placed the ball at the one-yard-line, resulting in a touchdown run by LaMont Jordan that put the Raiders up by 14. Cornerback Fakhir Brown was also flagged for pass interference in the second half.

There were several bright spots for the Rams defense as the starters stopped an Oakland drive on their own one-yard-line. Linebacker Will Witherspoon came up with a fumble recovery in the endzone after Jordan was met at the one-yard-line by a host of Rams defenders.  

Working with the second unit, defensive end Eric Moore jarred the ball loose from Raiders quarterback Josh McCown in the second half, allowing linebacker Raonall Smith to recover the fumble for the Rams second turnover of the preseason.

Moore led the team with two sacks followed by veteran tackle La’Roi Glover and defensive end James Hall who had one apiece. Hall’s sack was his first as a Ram.

Although the third preseason game usually marks the final dress rehearsal for the Rams starters, wide receiver Torry Holt did not play against the Raiders and running back Steven Jackson was in the game for only one play, a 40-yard strike from quarterback Marc Bulger to wide receiver Isaac Bruce.

Brian Leonard stepped in for Jackson for the third-straight week and showcased his famous Leonard leap in the first quarter, hurdling cornerback Fabian Washington for a 15-yard gain.

Travis Minor looks to have the lead in the battle for the Rams third running back spot. He started the second half and matched Leonard’s six carries. He also out gained Leonard on the ground with 26 rushing yards to Leonard’s 20.

The rushing leader for the night was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who broke off a 30-yard run late in the game only to have the ball stripped from behind by former Ram Chris Johnson. The ball rolled into the endzone for a touchback. 

The Rams starting offense couldn’t seem to find a rhythm and still have yet to score a touchdown in three preseason games. They managed only a Jeff Wilkins field goal in their one half of work. Wilkins’ 26-yarder was his first work of the preseason, and he was money on his only field goal and extra point attempts.

With Holt not participating in the contest, Bulger looked to Bruce, who ended the day as the Rams leading receiver with four catches for 77 yards. Wide receiver Drew Bennett, who started in place of Holt, was right behind Bruce with three receptions for 37 yards.

Veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte spelled Bulger in the third quarter and hooked up with wideout Marques Hagans for the Rams only touchdown for the second-straight week.

Frerotte hit a diving Hagans in the back of the endzone in the opening play of the fourth quarter. The play was challenged, but upheld bringing the Rams within 10 points which would be the games final margin.

Hagans also worked as a kick returner along with rookie wide receiver Derek Stanley and wide receiver/kick returner Dante Hall. Hall saw action at wide receiver during the contest, catching two passes for 27 yards and drawing a holding penalty which kept a Rams drive alive late in the game.