RAMS TAKE ON CARDINALS FOR FIRST TIME IN 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009, Edward Jones Dome, 3:05 p.m. (CST)

The Rams welcome NFC West rival Arizona to the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday in the first meeting between the teams this season. The Rams and Cardinals will meet in Arizona on Dec. 27.

The Rams lead the all-time series, 31-28-2, dating to 1937. The Rams have won seven of 14 meetings between the teams since Arizona joined the re-aligned NFC West in 2002. Since the Rams relocated to the Gateway City in 1995, the Cardinals lead the series 9-7. The teams have met once in the postseason, with the Rams taking a 35-23 home victory in the 1975 NFC Divisional Playoffs.

The Cardinals come to St. Louis after a 31-20 victory over Seattle last week. The Rams return to action after losing 28-23 to the New Orleans Saints in a game that came down to the final play. The Rams were led on offense by Running back Steven Jackson who tallied a season-high 176 total yards (131 rushing, 45 receiving). Jackson recorded his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game and added a rushing touchdown vs. the Saints. Wide receivers Brandon Gibson and Donnie Avery contributed as Gibson led the team with seven catches for 93 yards and Avery scored two touchdowns. Safeties Oshiomogho Atogwe and James Butler tallied interceptions for the Rams and Atogwe added a forced fumble.

Passing

M. Bulger
Rams
1254 yards

Rushing

S. Jackson
Rams
915 yards

Receiving

D. Avery
Rams
353 yards

Passing

K. Warner
Cardinals
3414 yards

Rushing

B. Wells
Cardinals
706 yards

Receiving

L. Fitzgerald
Cardinals
1027 yards

• Overall Regular Season Series: Rams lead series, 30-29-2
• Overall Postseason Series: Rams lead series, 1-0
• Rams Regular Season Home Record vs. Cardinals: 15-16
• Rams Regular Season Road Record vs. Cardinals: 15-13-2
• Current Streak: Cardinals, six games (2006-present)
• Rams Longest Streak: Six games (1979-87)
• Cardinals Longest Streak: Six games (2006-present)
• Regular Season Point Total: Rams 1,265 - Cardinals 1,171
• Most Points, Rams: 46, Rams 46-14 (1985)
• Most Points, Cardinals: 48, Cardinals 48-19 (2007)
• Most Points, both teams: 68, Cardinals 41-27 (1988)
• Fewest Points, Rams: 0, three times, Cardinals 6-0 (1937),
Cardinals 7-0 (1941), Cardinals 7-0 (1942)
• Fewest Points, Cardinals: 0, four times, Rams 24-0 (1939),
Rams 14-0 (1939), Rams 21-0 (1945), Rams 21-0 (1979)
• Fewest Points, both teams: 6, Cardinals 6-0 (1937)

With 159 kickoff return yards in Week 15 vs. Houston (12/20), WR Danny Amendola set the Rams’ franchise record for kickoff return yards in a season, passing Tony Horne’s 1,379 yards set in 2000. Amendola has 1,435 kickoff return yards this season. Amendola has also returned 23 punts for 208 yards to give him 1,643 total return yards, a franchise record.

Amendola has 57 kickoff returns this season, tied for second-most in Rams history. With four more kickoff returns this season, Amendola will pass Drew Hill’s team record of 60 kickoff returns established in 1981.

Amendola’s 57 kickoff returns are the most in the NFL this season and his 1,435 kickoff return and 1,643 total return yards rank second. Amendola is averaging 25.2 yards per kickoff return, the third-highest mark since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995. Amendola has five kickoff returns over 40 yards this season, including 55- and 58-yard returns.

4th Quarter

- On the second play of the final quarter, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie picked off a deep ball intended for Donnie Avery.

- Arizona took over at its 10.

- The Rams were able to get a stop as Chris Long recorded his fifth sack of the year, establishing a career high.

- The Rams got good field position on a 25-yard return from Amendola.

- St. Louis was unable to get it to the end zone, though and had to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Josh Brown to trim it to 24-10 Cardinals with 8:36 to play.

- The Rams got a quick stop but had their drive killed when Adrian Wilson stepped in front for an interception he returned 41 yards to the Rams’ 12.

- Wells scored from 3 yards out to make it 31-10 with 2:44 to go.

- The Rams kept battling, driving into Arizona territory with a long run from Ogbonnaya to get to Arizona’s 34.

- The Rams got no further than the 25 and turned it over on down. Arizona ran out the clock for a 31-10 win.

3rd Quarter

- Arizona opened the third quarter with a 16-yard strike to Boldin but the Rams got it back three plays later when LaJuan Ramsey registered his first career sack, forcing a fumble in the process.

- Adeyanju fell on it at Arizona’s 35 and the Rams had their best field position of the day.

- The Rams moved it to Arizona’s 24. Null lofted a deep ball to Brandon Gibson, who rose up and made a tremendous leaping catch for his first-career touchdown to trim Arizona’s edge to 17-7.

- St. Louis missed a golden opportunity to come up with another quick score as cornerback Danny Gorrer dropped an interception on an out route that would have been a pick-6. Still, the Rams got a three and out.

- On the ensuing punt, Amendola had a big return that would have come back for a penalty on Parks had Amendola not fumbled it away.

- Arizona recovered and took the ball and momentum back at its 43 with 9:30 to go in the quarter.

- Arizona moved 57 yards on nine plays with the help of some fortuitous officiating and finished it with a 2-yard touchdown run from Tim Hightower for a 24-7 lead with 4:32 to go in the quarter.

- The Rams went three and out on the ensuing possession.

- The Rams got a stop and have the ball with a second-and-7, trailing 24-7 entering the fourth quarter.

2nd Quarter

- Arizona opened the second quarter with a quick first down on a 15-yard completion to Anquan Boldin.

- Two plays later, Warner hit Steve Breaston for a gain of 45.

- Two player after that, Warner hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 10-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 12:13 left in the first half.

- The Rams again showed signs of life, moving to Arizona’s 44 again but had to punt as a sack derailed the drive.

- Warner and Co. again wasted no time as Warner hit Early Doucet for an 18-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 6:48 to go in the half.

- Warner’s touchdown toss was the 100th of his career with Arizona, making him the second signal caller in league history to reach the century mark with two teams.

- The Rams went three and out on the ensuing possession as another sack stopped that drive.

- The Cardinals moved methodically down the field with a series of completions and runs to the Rams’ 1 with 16 seconds to go in the half.

- The Rams were able to hold enough for Mike Nugent to kick a 19-yard field goal to make it 17-0 Cardinals at the half.

1st Quarter

- The Rams received first and actually opened with Kenneth Darby instead of Gado at running back.

- Darby made his presence felt immediately, picking up 10 yards on each of his first two carries. In fact, he racked up 30 yards on his first five attempts but a pair of incompletions killed the drive and the Rams had to punt.

- Arizona went three and out on its first drive and the Rams took over at their 44 for the second possession.

- After a first down toss from Null to Danny Amendola, the Rams gave it back as Greg Toler intercepted Null at Arizona’s 33.

- This time, the Cardinals made progress, picking up a couple quick first downs into Rams territory.

- The Rams defense got a stop though as Tim Hightower dropped a sure touchdown on third down and Arizona punted it back to the Rams, who took over at their 8.

- The offense got a boost from Ogbonnaya and some timely completions to get it out of its territory before punting it back. Donnie Jones’ punt went into the end zone for a touchback.

- At the end of the first, the Rams and Cardinals are tied at 0.

Pregame Notes

- Greetings from University of Phoenix Stadium where the Rams and Cardinals are preparing for a NFC West Divisional matchup.

- As noted yesterday, the Rams have officially moved quarterback Marc Bulger to the injured reserve list and called up Cord Parks from the practice squad. Parks is listed as a cornerback/wide receiver, two spots he’s played in practice this year.

- Inactives for the Rams include tackle Jason Smith, end Leonard Little, end James Hall, cornerback Quincy Butler, tackle Ryan McKee, tackle Eric Young and running back Steven Jackson.

- Mike Reilly is the third quarterback.

- Jackson has been feeling the pain in his back for a while but apparently it has been enough to cause pain elsewhere and left him inactive for the first time this season.

- With Jackson out, Samkon Gado will start in his place. Chris Ogbonnaya will be active for the first time this season and could well get some opportunities.

- Hall arrived in Phoenix with the team on Saturday afternoon and soon after his wife’s water broke. He returned to St. Louis to be with his pregnant wife, who gave birth to a child this morning.

- Keith Null will likely get the start at quarterback after taking the majority of the reps in practice again this week. But Kyle Boller is active and ready to go.

- Newly-signed James Wyche should be busy in his first game as a Ram. He joins Chris Long and Victor Adeyanju. The latter two will start at end.

- Justin King starts for Butler at corner.

- Arizona’s inactives include: kicker Neil Rackers, QB Brian St. Pierre, fullback Dan Kreider, safety Hamza Abdullah, linebacker Will Davis, guard Herman Johnson, receiver Sean Morey and tight end Ben Patrick.

2nd Quarter

KTVI, FOX 2 is once again “The Home of the Rams” in 2007.  On Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m., check out Rams Weekly where Fox 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne goes one on one with head coach Scott Linehan and a Rams’ player.

Prior to each game, Kilcoyne will be joined by the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s Bryan Burwell, FOX 2’s Rob Desir and FOX 2’s Maurice Drummond for Rams Gameday pregame show, bringing viewers in-depth analysis, player profiles and the latest inside scoop on every Rams game.

The 2009-2010 broadcast team for Rams Radio is as follows:

Rams Radio Pre-Game Show:
Host: Randy Karraker
Analyst: Coach Jim Hanifan
Reporter: Brian Stull
Gameday Insider: Jim Thomas
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Segment Contributors: Bernie Miklasz, Bryan Burwell, Pat Parris,
D’Marco Farr and Steve Savard
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

Rams Radio In-Game Coverage:
Play by Play: Steve Savard
Color Analyst: D’Marco Farr
In-Game Reporter: Brian Stull
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

Rams Radio Post-Game Show:
Hosts: Steve Savard and Brent Stover
Analysts: D’Marco Farr and Coach Jim Hanifan
Locker Room Interviews: Brian Stull
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

All of the Rams game day shows and coverage, along with the weekly Rams programs will be executed under the watchful eye of Executive Producer Chris Neupert. Studio Producer duties will vary by program and schedule, rotating between 101 ESPN Producers Ben Boyd, Todd Wise and Chris Gardner. Steve Bear will be the In-Game Spotter, and engineering responsibilities will be handled by Dodie Rahlman, Craig Rutledge, Marshall Rice, Bob Hoffman and Ken Cunetto.

Along with the Rams game day coverage and pre-and post-game shows, 101 ESPN will broadcast “Rams Rush Hour Shows” weeknights from 7:00 until 8:00 pm. As part of “Rams Rush Hour Shows,” Coach Steve Spagnuolo and General Manager Billy Devaney are expected to do weekly shows.

Have you ever wanted to play for your favorite NFL team? Now you can! The Home Team Challenge is an exciting Fantasy game that lets you play for your favorite team and compete for prizes at the same time! Prove that the Rams' fans are the best Fantasy players! Win great prizes too! Pick an eight-player Fantasy team during any week of the regular season. The more points your Fantasy team scores, the more you help your team in the NFL standings.

Weekly Prize

Seventeen (17) Weekly Team Prizes (1 weekly prize each week for 17 weeks)

• Week 1: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 2: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 3: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 4: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 5: Steven Jackson Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 6: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 7: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 8: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 9: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $25.00 USD)
• Week 10: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 11: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 12: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 13: Chris Long Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 14: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 15: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 16: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 17: Donnie Avery Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)

One (1) Overall Grand Team Prize
Rams 2010 Home Opener Dream Package: Package for two (2) for the Rams 2010 regular season home opener, includes (2) club seat tickets***, two (2) pre-game sidelines passes, one (1) complimentary parking pass, and one (1) Rams gift bag which includes autographed memorabilia (such memorabilia determined by Rams in their sole discretion). (ARV: $1,500.00 USD).