Linehan still plays down lack of offense

~ St. Louis' first unit has not scored a touchdown in three preseason games.

ST. LOUIS -- Rams first-year coach Scott Linehan insists that his team's performance during its first three preseason games is no indication of how St. Louis will play once the regular season begins.

Though his starting offense is yet to score a touchdown after losing to Kansas City 16-12 on Saturday, Linehan said he is not pushing the panic button. Starters have managed only three field goals in nine possessions in the preseason.

"There's got to be a certain level of confidence or a leap of faith that we're going to be in pretty good shape there," he said of his offense. "I feel very confident that's going to be the case."

But the Rams have less than two weeks to get in shape. Their preseason finale is Thursday in Miami before the regular season begins Sept. 10 against Denver.

"Obviously we didn't play very well, not well enough to win certainly," Linehan said of the Chiefs game. "Regardless of how the preseason has gone, the one thing we've done very consistently is be explosive offensively and take care of the ball. [Saturday] we had three turnovers -- two with the first unit -- and we didn't have the big plays."

Quarterback Marc Bulger completed 7-of-11 passes and had one intercepted before being pulled early in the third quarter. He also was sacked twice and received little help from the running game, with Steven Jackson gaining just 22 yards on 10 carries.

Bulger echoed Linehan's sentiment about the importance -- or lack thereof -- of the offense's preseason struggles.

"If we were playing Denver here and we didn't score, then let's talk about it," Bulger said. "But it's the preseason. Who cares?"

The Rams might care more if their defensive effort against the previously struggling Chiefs offense carries over into the regular season. While the offense had trouble moving the ball, the defense had trouble getting off the field against Kansas City.

The Chiefs opened Saturday's game with a 14-play, 64-yard touchdown drive and scored a field goal on their second possession after a 15-play, 77-yard drive.

"We settled down after the first two drives," Linehan said.

But that's also when Kansas City pulled quarterback Trent Green and running back Larry Johnson. Green completed eight of his 12 attempts for 100 yards and Johnson gained 37 yards on nine carries.

Linehan said he'd like to see his first-string offense score a touchdown and his top defense do better against the run on Thursday. He also would like to get a second preseason victory before the start of the regular season.

"I wish we were able to keep our momentum going through the preseason, after our first game," he said, referring to a 19-17 victory over Indianapolis. "We've just got to rally and get a lot done in our practices this week and then take advantage of a couple of extra days getting ready for the Sept. 10 opener."

Notes Linehan said the Rams will make their required 10 roster cuts down to 75 players by Monday. The list is due to the league by Tuesday. ... G Claude Terrell is contemplating season-ending wrist surgery and Linehan said even without the surgery, it's unlikely Terrell will play this season. ... The Rams had not received the results of an MRI done on DT Jimmy Kennedy's ankle as of Sunday night, but Linehan said he's "pretty doubtful" for Thursday's game at Miami. ... WR Torre Holt (bruised sternum) sat out Saturday's game and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.