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CINCINNATI — Three games into what has been an up-and-down preseason, there has been one constant for coach Steve Spagnuolo's Rams. Namely, an ability to come up with the football and win the all-important turnover battle.

The Rams were plus-2 in takeaway-giveaways entering Thursday's game against Cincinnati. Not only did they add to that total at Paul Brown Stadium with four takeaways, they turned those turnovers into points, and ultimately a 24-21 victory over the Bengals.

"We're always talking about ripping and stripping the ball," Spagnuolo said. "We had things we did in training camp where we kept track of it. And the guys have bought in. But you never know when they're going come in bunches. And you never know when they're going to go away. You can hit dry spells. But hopefully, we'll keep ripping it out."

Two first-half fumble recoveries led to 14 points, with one of those takeaways returned 73 yards for a score by safety James Butler. Backup cornerback Quincy Butler (no relation) continued to make his bid for a spot on the final roster by returning a third-quarter interception 68 yards to set up a field goal.


But it took a fourth takeaway, on an Eric Moore sack and C.J. Ah You fumble recovery, to snuff out a Bengals drive and preserve the Rams' second victory in three preseason games. Only the Sept. 3 Governor's Cup contest

remains with Kansas City before the start of the regular season.

Moore, a defensive end, is called "Rev" — as in Reverend — by his teammates. But after victory-preserving plays against the New York Jets and now Cincinnati, maybe it should be the "Closer."

"We'd love to have a closer like that if it was automatic," Spagnuolo said.

Against the Jets, Moore's sack and fumble by Erik Ainge was recovered by New York. But it resulted in a 19-yard loss, pushing the Jets back to the St. Louis 42 and into a third-and-31 dilemma they couldn't overcome with just over 4 minutes to play.

On Thursday, his sack of Jordan Palmer — the younger brother of Bengals star quarterback Carson Palmer — ended a last-ditch Cincinnati drive that had reached the St. Louis 29 with 2:01 left to play.

"I'm just out there trying to make plays," the soft-spoken Moore said. "When I get out there, I just try to make plays, that's it."

With help from their defense, the first-team offense scored its first touchdowns of the preseason. After spotting the Bengals a quick 7-0 lead on a punt return for a touchdown, the Rams marched 71 yards for a score on their second series.

One of the drive's key plays came on third-and-7 from the Bengals 44, when Kyle Boller completed a 14-yard pass to veteran Ronald Curry, who's trying to earn a roster spot at wide receiver.

Samkon Gado did the rest. Taking over for Steven Jackson midway through the drive, Gado picked up 14 yards on two carries to get the ball in the red zone. Then, on first down at the 16, he headed up in the middle on a carry and made a nice cutback to the left for a TD with 8:18 to go in the opening quarter. That tied the score at 7-7.

Just 3½ minutes later, the Rams doubled up on the Bengals thanks to a botched snap by Cincinnati quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan, who started in place of the injured Carson Palmer. The loose ball was recovered by linebacker James Laurinaitis at the Cincy 20, with Gado scoring again on a 2-yard shovel pass with 4:51 left in the quarter.

After a tough outing against Atlanta, including a lost fumble in the red zone, it was gratifying for Gado to re-establish himself in the competition for a backup spot behind Jackson.

"Most definitely," Gado said. "But I think the biggest mistake that I could make is to assume that it's wrapped up. ... There's a lot of football left, and I still need to establish myself."

The Rams' lead grew to 21-7 in the second quarter on an Oshiomogho Atogwe specialty. Atogwe stripped the ball from Bengals running back Bernard Scott, just ripped it right out of Scott's arms. Fellow safety James Butler scooped up the ball and rambled 73 yards for a score and a 21-7 St. Louis lead.

"I was a little worried (Butler) wasn't going to make it at the end," Spagnuolo said. "But that's a big swing. They're in the red zone. We get 'em to turn it over. It could be a possible 14-point swing."

Cincinnati made things interesting by scoring two more touchdowns, including one by former Ram Brian Leonard. That made things close, but that's why the Rams have the Closer.

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Rams take charge in Cincy - STLtoday.com

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