The 2008 season was the St. Louis Rams' 71st in the National Football League (NFL) and their 14th in St. Louis. They failed to improve upon their 3–13 record from the previous season and dropped to a dismal 2–14 record.
On September 29, 2008, following a 0–4 start, head coach Scott Linehan was fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who occupied the head coach position with the team for the remainder of the 2008 season.
This was the first time the Rams suffered from consecutive losing seasons since 1997 and 1998.
Off season After having been hospitalized for several months with breast cancer, owner Georgia Frontiere died on January 18, 2008. Frontiere's son and Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom wanted to have the team wear its old blue and yellow uniforms from the 1999 season, but was denied his request by the NFL stating that he needed to give a one-year notice. Rosenbloom announced on April 24, 2008, that the Rams will have a patch on the left shoulder of the jersey with the word "Georgia" written the way Frontiere signed her name during the 2008 season.
Free agency On March 1, the first day of free agency, the Rams signed place kicker Josh Brown from the Seattle Seahawks to a five-year, $14.2 million contract to replace retired Jeff Wilkins. On March 3, the Rams signed Offensive Lineman Jacob Bell as a free agent from the Tennessee Titans to a six-year, $36 million deal, and includes a $7 million signing bonus. On March 6, the Rams signed Tight End Anthony Becht as a free agent from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed amount.
NFL draft
Round Pick Player Position College 1 2 Chris Long DE Virginia 2 33 Donnie Avery WR Houston 3 65 John Greco OT Toledo 4 101 Justin King CB Penn State 4 128 Keenan Burton WR Kentucky 5 157 Roy Schuening OG Oregon State 7 228 Chris Chamberlain LB Tulsa 7 252 David Vobora LB Idaho
Prior to the draft, Billy Devaney was named vice president of player personnel, and took over decisions in for the off season and draft. The Denver Broncos traded their sixth-round selection (180th overall) to the Rams for defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy. The Rams traded their seventh-round selection (209th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings for offensive tackle Adam Goldberg. The Rams received the Cincinnati Bengals' seventh-round pick (217th overall) in exchange for Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Rams received one seventh-round pick (252nd overall) as a compensatory selection.
During Draft Day, the Washington Redskins traded their fifth-round and seventh-round selections (#157 and #228 overall) to the Rams for its two sixth-round selections (#168 and #180 overall).
Training camp Steven Jackson held out of camp because he believed he was underpaid, and there was only one year left on his rookie contract. He later ended his holdout and said that he would report to camp. Jackson ended his holdout officially, after he signed a six-year contract worth a maximum of $49.3 million, including $21 million in guarantees. The final two years of the deal can be voided upon performance so it can be a three-year extension worth $29.3 million. At the time, this made him the highest paid running back in the NFL.
Personnel St. Louis Rams 2008 final roster Quarterbacks Brock Berlin Marc Bulger Trent Green
Running backs Kenneth Darby KR Steven Jackson Travis Minor KR Antonio Pittman
Wide receivers Donnie Avery Keenan Burton Torry Holt Dane Looker PR
Tight ends Anthony Becht Daniel Fells Joe Klopfenstein Offensive linemen Alex Barron T Jacob Bell G Anthony Davis T Adam Goldberg G/T John Greco G/T Richie Incognito G Orlando Pace T Brett Romberg C Roy Schuening G Cory Withrow C
Defensive linemen Victor Adeyanju DE Antwon Burton DT Adam Carriker DT La'Roi Glover DT James Hall DE Leonard Little DE Chris Long DE Eric Moore DE Clifton Ryan DT Linebackers Chris Chamberlain OLB Quinton Culberson OLB Chris Draft MLB/OLB Larry Grant OLB Pisa Tinoisamoa OLB David Vobora MLB Will Witherspoon MLB
Defensive backs Oshiomogho Atogwe FS Ron Bartell CB Eric Bassey FS Fakhir Brown CB Quincy Butler CB Corey Chavous SS Jason Craft CB Todd Johnson SS David Roach FS Jonathan Wade CB
Special teams Josh Brown K Donnie Jones P Chris Massey LS Reserve lists Drew Bennett WR (IR) Brandon Gorin T (IR) Dante Hall WR/KR/PR (IR) Tye Hill CB (IR) Justin King CB (IR) Nick Leckey C (IR) Brian Leonard FB (IR) Ricky Manning CB (IR) Randy McMichael TE (IR) Rob Petitti T (IR) Mark Setterstrom G (IR) Derek Stanley WR/KR/PR (IR) Gary Stills LB (IR) Claude Wroten DT (Susp.)
Practice squad C. J. Ah You DE Travis Brown WR Matt Caddell WR Joel Filani WR Nate Jones WR Clint Oldenburg T Willie Williams DT
rookies in italics 53 active, 14 inactive, 7 practice squad
Preseason schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 at Tennessee Titans L 13–34 0–1 LP Field Recap 2 San Diego Chargers W 7–6 1–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap 3 Baltimore Ravens W 24–10 2–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap 4 at Kansas City Chiefs L 16–21 2–2 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 September 7 at Philadelphia Eagles L 3–38 0–1 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 2 September 14 New York Giants L 13–41 0–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap 3 September 21 at Seattle Seahawks L 13–37 0–3 Qwest Field Recap 4 September 28 Buffalo Bills L 14–31 0–4 Edward Jones Dome Recap 5Bye 6 October 12 at Washington Redskins W 19–17 1–4 FedExField Recap 7 October 19 Dallas Cowboys W 34–14 2–4 Edward Jones Dome Recap 8 October 26 at New England Patriots L 16–23 2–5 Gillette Stadium Recap 9 November 2 Arizona Cardinals L 13–34 2–6 Edward Jones Dome Recap 10 November 9 at New York Jets L 3–47 2–7 Giants Stadium Recap 11 November 16 at San Francisco 49ers L 16–35 2–8 Candlestick Park Recap 12 November 23 Chicago Bears L 3–27 2–9 Edward Jones Dome Recap 13 November 30 Miami Dolphins L 12–16 2–10 Edward Jones Dome Recap 14 December 7 at Arizona Cardinals L 10–34 2–11 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 15 December 14 Seattle Seahawks L 20–23 2–12 Edward Jones Dome Recap 16 December 21 San Francisco 49ers L 16–17 2–13 Edward Jones Dome Recap 17 December 28 at Atlanta Falcons L 27–31 2–14 Georgia Dome RecapNote: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Regular season week-by-week results
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles raced out of the gates to dismantle the Rams 38–3, the Eagles’ largest opening week margin-of-victory ever. Rookie DeSean Jackson pulled down a 47-yard reception on the second play over Tye Hill, and the drive finished with a shovel pass touchdown to Brian Westbrook. Donovan McNabb marched the Eagles down the field again on their second possession, finding L.J. Smith in the back of the end zone to make it 14–0. During the drive, Hill was beat again, this time by Greg Lewis on a double move and was benched for the game. Late in the second quarter, receiver Hank Baskett beat the coverage and scored on a 90-yard reception. Fullback Tony Hunt scored from a yard out in the third quarter and the rout was on. DeSean Jackson's 60-yard punt return set up a short field goal for David Akers, and Philadelphia's lead grew to 31–0. Westbrook added a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter before Josh Brown kicked a 46-yard field goal to avoid the shutout.
McNabb had a vintage performance, throwing for 361 yards (mostly in the first half) and three scores. Jackson, Greg Lewis, and Baskett each had over 100 yards receiving. Westbrook ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense completely shut down the St. Louis offense. The Rams didn't convert on all 11 3rd down plays, the first time since 1991. Steven Jackson had 40 yards on 14 carries and the team averaged 2.4 yards rushing.
In addition to beginning the season 0–1, the Rams suffered injuries with Leonard Little leaving the game with a hamstring injury, Drew Bennett with a foot injury and Orlando Pace with bruised ribs.
Week 2: vs. New York Giants
Hoping to rebound from their dismal road loss to the Eagles, the Rams played their Week 2 home opener against the defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Giants QB Eli Manning completed a 33-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress. In the second quarter, the Rams responded with kicker Josh Brown getting a 54-yard field goal, yet New York answered with kicker John Carney kicking a 39-yard field goal. St. Louis would reply with Brown's 54-yard field goal, yet the Giants answered with Carney nailing a 33-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, New York increased its lead with Manning completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer. In the fourth quarter, the Rams tried to rally as WR Torry Holt made a 45-yard juggling, circus catch in the end zone from QB Marc Bulger, making the Rams down 20–13 with 10 minutes 46 seconds left to play. However, the Giants pulled away with Manning's 18-yard TD pass to RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DE Justin Tuck’s 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Bradshaw's 31-yard TD run.
With the loss, St. Louis fell to 0–2. Over the course of two games the defense gave up almost 1,000 yards. The Rams offense has yet to be in the red zone all season.
Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Trying to snap a two-game skid, the Rams flew to Qwest Field for a Week 3 NFC West duel with the Seattle Seahawks. In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare got a 28-yard field goal, QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 10-yard TD pass to WR Michael Bumpus, and RB Julius Jones getting a 29-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Rams got on the board as former Seahawk kicker Josh Brown got a 43-yard field goal, yet Seattle responded with RB T.J. Duckett getting a 4-yard TD run. St. Louis would answer with Brown kicking a 29-yard field goal, yet the Seahawks increased its lead with Mare kicking a 38-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Rams tried to rally as QB Marc Bulger completed a 21-yard TD pass to WR Dane Looker. However, in the fourth quarter, Seattle pulled away with Duckett's 1-yard TD run and Mare's 38-yard field goal.
With the loss, St. Louis fell to 0–3.
Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills
Still searching for their first win, the Rams went home for a Week 4 interconference duel with the Buffalo Bills. Hoping to find consistency, QB Marc Bulger was benched in favor of Trent Green.
In the first quarter, St. Louis trailed early as Bills kicker Rian Lindell got a 45-yard field goal. The Rams would respond with rookie WR Donnie Avery getting a 37-yard TD run. Buffalo would answer with Lindell kicking a 35-yard field goal. In the second quarter, St. Louis increased its lead with RB Steven Jackson getting a 29-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Bills crept closer as RB Fred Jackson got a 22-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Buffalo sealed the win with CB Jabari Greer returning an interception 33 yards for a touchdown, QB Trent Edwards completing a 39-yard TD pass to WR Lee Evans, and Lindell nailing a 45-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Rams went into their bye week at 0–4. Head coach Scott Linehan was fired after the loss and was replaced by Jim Haslett.
Week 6: at Washington Redskins