The 2006 season was the St. Louis Rams' 69th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 12th in St. Louis. The season began with the Rams trying to improve on their 6–10 record from 2005 under new head coach Scott Linehan. This was the Rams last non-losing season in St. Louis as the franchise would go on a ten-season losing record streak until 2017 in Los Angeles.
Offseason Scott Linehan was named head coach of the St. Louis Rams on January 19, 2006. He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. On January 24, Jim Haslett, the former head coach of the New Orleans Saints, signed a three-year deal to become the Rams new defensive coordinator.Official St. Louis Rams article Haslett Hired as Defensive Coordinator, Olson Offensive Coordinator, Accessed 13 September 2006ESPN story Haslett signs on as Rams defensive coordinator Accessed 13 September 2006 On March 17, 2006, the Rams signed former Miami Dolphins QB Gus Frerotte to a three-year deal.Official St. Louis Rams article Rams Sign QB Frerotte, Accessed 13 September 2006
During the free agency period, the Rams signed DT La'Roi Glover, LB Will Witherspoon and S Corey Chavous.
In the 2006 NFL draft, the Rams used their first pick on Clemson CB Tye Hill. They used the next pick on Colorado TE Joe Klopfenstein. The remaining picks were LSU DT Claude Wroten, USC TE Dominique Byrd, Stanford LB Jon Alston, Indiana DE Victor Adeyanju, Virginia WR Marques Hagans, Northwestern LB Tim McGarigle, Minnesota Guard Mark Setterstrom, and Missouri Guard Tony Palmer.
On Friday, September 1, 2006, the Rams signed former Carolina Panthers RB Stephen Davis a one-year contract.Official St. Louis Rams article Davis Signs, Cuts Made, Accessed 13 September 2006
The Rams also signed defensive tackle Jason Fisk to pair with La'Roi Glover.
Staff St. Louis Rams 2006 staff Head coaches Head coach – Scott Linehan Assistant head coach/linebackers – Rick Venturi
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Greg Olson Quarterbacks – Doug Nussmeier Running backs – Wayne Moses Wide receivers – Henry Ellard Tight ends – Judd Garrett Offensive line – Paul T Boudreau Assistant offensive line – Jim Chaney Offensive assistant/special assistant – Jeff Horton Offensive quality control/running backs – Randy Hanson Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Jim Haslett Defensive line – Brian Baker Secondary – Willy Robinson Assistant secondary/linebackers – Ron Milus Defensive quality control – Joe Baker
Special teams coaches Special teams – Bob Ligashesky Assistant special teams/defensive assistant – Todd Downing
Strength and conditioning Head strength and conditioning – Dana LeDuc Assistant strength and conditioning – Brad Roll
Roster
Schedule In the 2006 regular season, the Rams’ non-divisional, conference opponents were primarily from the NFC North, although they also played the Washington Redskins from the NFC East, and the Carolina Panthers from the NFC South. Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC West. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 10 Denver Broncos W 18–10 1–0 Edward Jones Dome 65,577 2 September 17 at San Francisco 49ers L 13–20 1–1 Monster Park 67,791 3 September 24 at Arizona Cardinals W 16–14 2–1 University of Phoenix Stadium 63,278 4 October 1 Detroit Lions W 41–34 3–1 Edward Jones Dome 65,563 5 October 8 at Green Bay Packers W 23–20 4–1 Lambeau Field 70,804 6 October 15 Seattle Seahawks L 28–30 4–2 Edward Jones Dome 65,592 7 Bye 8 October 29 at San Diego Chargers L 24–38 4–3 Qualcomm Stadium 66,598 9 November 5 Kansas City Chiefs L 17–31 4–4 Edward Jones Dome 66,191 10 November 12 at Seattle Seahawks L 22–24 4–5 Qwest Field 68,175 11 November 19 at Carolina Panthers L 0–15 4–6 Bank of America Stadium 73,348 12 November 26 San Francisco 49ers W 20–17 5–6 Edward Jones Dome 65,517 13 December 3 Arizona Cardinals L 20–34 5–7 Edward Jones Dome 65,612 14 Chicago Bears L 27–42 5–8 Edward Jones Dome 66,234 15 December 17 at Oakland Raiders W 20–0 6–8 McAfee Coliseum 50,164 16 December 24 Washington Redskins W 37–31 (OT) 7–8 Edward Jones Dome 62,324 17 December 31 at Minnesota Vikings W 41–21 8–8 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,557 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Denver Broncos
at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri The Rams opened the regular season at home against the Denver Broncos on September 10 with a Rams' 18–10 win. Jeff Wilkins scored all of the Rams' points by kicking six field goals, a franchise record for a single game (from 51, 48, 26, 38, 29 and 24 yards), and became the first Ram player to score 1000 points in a career. Wilkins also tied a franchise record of seven field goal attempts in one game which was first accomplished by Bob Waterfield on December 9, 1951.ESPN NFL recap . Wilkins' record six FGs help Rams surprise Broncos. Retrieved 13 September 2006. The Rams were unable to score a touchdown all game and went 0 for 5 in the red zone.NFL.com GameCenter:Recap. Rams ride defense, Wilkins past Denver. Retrieved 15 September 2006.
The defense allowed just one touchdown and forced five turnovers. Three of these turnovers were interceptions, from a team that only allowed seven interceptions all of last season. First round draft pick Tye Hill intercepted a pass by Jake Plummer with 12:02 in the second quarter.ESPN Play-By-Play Retrieved 14 September 2006. It was his first in his NFL career. The defense also sacked Jake Plummer four times in the game, with Leonard Little accounting for two of them.
Isaac Bruce passed Henry Ellard and Shannon Sharpe for 11th most receptions in an NFL career with his five receptions for 64 yards.
Center Andy McCollum injured his left knee with 7:39 left in the second quarter and was out for the rest of the game. On September 11, 2006 it was announced that McCollum will miss the entire season and will undergo knee surgery. With the win, the Rams began their season 1–0.Official St. Louis Rams Article McCollum Out for Season, Accessed 13 September 2006
Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
at Monster Park, San Francisco, California
The Rams visited division rival San Francisco 49ers on September 17 for their home opener. The 49ers increased their winning streak against the Rams to three, beating the Rams 20–13.Big plays help 49ers beat Rams 20–13. NFL.com. Retrieved 17 September 2006.
With 11:10 left in the first quarter, Alex Smith completed a 56-yard pass to Arnaz Battle, setting up a 32-yard field goal by Joe Nedney. At the beginning of the second quarter, Corey Chavous recovered a Frank Gore fumble at the Rams 3-yard line. The Rams moved the ball sixty yards down the field setting up a 49-yard Jeff Wilkins field goal. The Rams scored their first touchdown of the season with a 3-yard pass from Marc Bulger to Torry Holt with 2:21 left in the half, giving the Rams a 10–3 lead going into the half.NFL GameCenter: Play-by-Play, St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers. NFL.com. Retrieved 17 September 2006.
With 14:12 left in the third quarter, the 49ers tied the game at ten with a Gore 32-yard touchdown run. The 49ers took the lead at 10:54 in the third quarter with a 72-yard pass from Smith to Antonio Bryant. Each team had a field goal in the fourth quarter. Wilkins hit a 40-yard field goal with 11:06 in the fourth, and Nedney had a 20-yard field goal with 5:23 in the fourth.
Bulger was sacked six times in the game and completed 19 of 34 attempts for 147 yards. Steven Jackson had 103 yards on the ground on 22 carries, along with 2 receptions for 21 yards. Will Witherspoon also had a good game making 13 tacklesAccording to the NFL stats, Witherspoon had 8 tackles , but according to the St. Louis Rams News release he had 13 tackles . Went with the official Rams release since the NFL stat is an unofficial press box release. and forcing one fumble. The Rams had 118 total yards during the second half.
Left tackle Orlando Pace left the game at the half with a concussion. He was taken to a hospital in the bay area where a CAT scan turned up negative. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa dislocated his elbow in the third quarter, and missed the rest of the game. With the loss, the Rams fell to 1–1.Wagoner, Nick, (Sep 18, 2006). "Rams Take Cautious Approach with Pace, Tinoisamoa ." The Official Website of the Saint Louis Rams. Retrieved 20 September 2006.
Week 3: at Arizona Cardinals
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona The Rams traveled to Glendale, Arizona for their first game in the new Cardinals Stadium.
With 11:28 left in the first quarter of play, Matt Turk kicked a 31-yard punt giving the Cardinals the ball on the Saint Louis 45. Nine plays later, Kurt Warner threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald. This gave the Cardinals a 7–0 lead with 7:04 left in the quarter.Rams pick off Warner, nip Cardinals 16–14. NFL.com. Retrieved 25 September 2006.GameCenter: Play-by-Play. NFL.com. Retrieved 25 September 2006.
With 11:28 left in the second quarter, Jeff Wilkins hit a 26-yard field goal to put the Rams on the board 7–3. On the Cardinals next drive, Warner was intercepted by O.J. Atogwe giving the Rams the ball on their own 6-yard line. Marc Bulger hit Torry Holt for gains of 42, 26 and 9 yards during the drive, with the final catch ending in a touchdown. It was the second touchdown for Holt and the Rams for the 2006 season. The very first play of the next Cardinals drive, Warner was intercepted again by Fakhir Brown. The Rams drove the ball down the field for 16 yards setting up a Wilkins 47-yard field goal to end the half, giving the Rams a 13–7 lead. Wilkins kicked another field goal with 8:08 left in the third quarter increasing the Rams lead 16–7.
With 4:13 left in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals ended a 16-play, 87-yard drive with a 9-yard Edgerrin James run for a touchdown cutting the Rams lead 16–14. With 1:58 left to play, Bulger fumbled the ball at the Saint Louis 30. It was recovered by Arizona's Antonio Smith. Yet, on the third play of the drive, Warner fumbled the snap and the Rams' Will Witherspoon recovered the ball. The Rams ran the clock out and won the game 16–14.
Rookie Victor Adeyanju got his first start in the game, replacing Anthony Hargrove who did not show up for meetings and practices. With the win, the Rams improved to 2–1.Rams DE Hargrove a no-show for meetings . NFL.com. Retrieved 16 October 2006.
Week 4: vs. Detroit Lions
at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
Hoping to build on their road win over the Cardinals, the Rams returned home for a match-up with the Detroit Lions and their offensive coordinator, former Rams head coach Mike Martz. In the first quarter, the Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins kicked a 42-yard and a 19-yard field goal to begin the game. The Lions kicker Jason Hanson kicked a 29-yard field goal. St. Louis distanced themselves, as QB Marc Bulger completed a 16-yard TD pass to rookie TE Joe Klopfenstein. In the second quarter, Lions QB Jon Kitna and WR Mike Furrey hooked up with each other on two touchdown passes (a 1-yarder and a 10-yarder), but the Rams retook the lead with Wilkins completing a 46-yard field goal. In the third quarter, St. Louis gained even more points, as Bulger connected with WR Torry Holt on a 16-yard TD strike. Detroit got a 20-yard field goal from Hanson and RB Kevin Jones ran 35 yards for a touchdown, but the Rams had their RB, Steven Jackson, get a 1-yard TD run to add to their lead. In the fourth quarter, Jones ran for a 7-yard TD strike. The Rams closed out the game with a win, as Wilkins completed a 47-yard field goal and Bulger completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. With the win, the Rams improved to 3–1.Rams fire final shot, outlast Lions 41–34. NFL.com. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin