Rams extract hope from loss

ST. LOUIS -- In it to the finish in their opener, the St. Louis Rams have reason to believe they're ready to stop being the NFL's doormat.

"I'm not going to say it felt different. A loss is a loss," cornerback Ron Bartell said after a 17-13 setback Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals. "They all hurt. But as you can see, we have improved. There's still steps that we need to take to get better, but we are a better team."

They're far from satisfied. The Rams have had enough losing with dignity after dropping their 14th in a row at home, their eighth in a row to Arizona and 15th straight to an NFC West opponent.

"We're not going to accept it anymore," running back Steven Jackson said Monday.

Up next is a trip to Oakland (0-1).

ABOVE: Rams defensive tackle Fred Robbins sacks Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson during the first quarter Sunday in St. Louis. TOP: Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford passes during the first quarter. (Jeff Roberson ~ Associated Press)

Putting a scare into the Cardinals was scant consolation for Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo, who reflected on the many opportunities missed that could have made a big difference. The Cardinals lost four fumbles, usually the kiss of death in the NFL, but the Rams failed to convert any of them into a single point.

"It's not good enough to say we played hard," Spagnuolo said. "We've got to win."

Among the positives: No. 1 pick Sam Bradford showed poise at quarterback in a game that dictated they throw the ball a lot. The rookie was 32 of 55 for 253 yards and three interceptions, the last pick coming on a desperation throw into the end zone on the final play.

The pass total is third highest in franchise history, with 19 of the attempts coming on two drives at the end of the game. Bradford didn't appear rattled by the Cardinals' blitzing schemes and Laurent Robinson, who caught the 1-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 10-10 on the final play of the first half, was the third option on a designed rollout.

"He commanded the offense in the huddle when he needed to," Jackson said. "He even corrected some calls in the huddle."

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford drops back to pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Mark Clayton caught a career-best 10 passes for 119 yards after only three days of practice following a trade from Baltimore. The defense was much improved from last year, putting plenty of pressure on Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson and holding the offense in check except for one drive when the Cardinals marched 76 yards on five straight runs capped by Tim Hightower's 1-yard run in the second quarter.

"We got a little frazzled," middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. "They had some things we hadn't seen before, and when that happens you've got to react to it on the fly. They kept bouncing it outside."

There were two missed opportunities on fumble recoveries that hurt. Brandon Fletcher had a 43-yard return in the first quarter after Oshiomoghe Atogwe stripped Tim Hightower, but Spagnuolo thought he should have scored and the Rams ended up with nothing when a 34-yard field goal attempt by Josh Brown was blocked. Defensive lineman Clifton Ryan was just shy of the end zone after scooping up a fumble in the third quarter before being stripped, and Arizona center Lyle Sendlein recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.

Wide receiver Steve Breaston made the tackle, and the strip, besides catching seven passes for a career-best 132 yards. The Rams work on fumble returns and Spagnuolo thought somebody should have blocked Breaston, especially on Fletcher's return.

"We had plenty of guys there. The next part is get your head on a swivel and find the white jerseys," Spagnuolo said. "It's a shame."

The Rams had nine rookies on the 45-man roster Sunday. Spagnuolo refuses to use that as an excuse.

"It's not scary, and I'll tell you why," he said. "That certainly was a winnable game."