Rams' newest QB gets passing grade

~ The third-string quarterback had just seven practices before Sunday's game

ST. LOUIS -- Another short week makes it more likely St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford will be out again. At least now there's a bit of a backup plan.

Kellen Clemens, who joined the team two weeks ago and still is familiarizing himself with the roster, exceeded expectations in Sunday's 20-13 loss to Cincinnati. Scoring in double-digits qualifies as a successful day for the NFL's worst offense, even when Bradford's under center.

Clemens definitely did not appear lost. He called audibles, and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Danario Alexander with 1 minute, 8 seconds to play that made it a one-score game while running the two-minute offense after one short practice stint.

There was less rust than might have been expected, considering it was his first start in two seasons and only the 10th of a six-year career for the 28-year-old Clemens, who was 25 of 36 for 229 yards.

Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens tries to fend off Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson as he scrambles for a short gain Sunday. Clemens passed for 229 yards in his Rams debut. He likely will make his second start against Pittsburgh on Saturday. (Tom Gannam ~ Associated Press)

"Extremely proud of Kellen. I'm really glad we have him," Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "There wasn't anything that we limited."

Bradford wore a walking boot on the sideline, not a good sign for Week 16 at Pittsburgh on Saturday. He had been playing hurt for a while, admittedly not near his best and potentially at risk for further injury.

Backup A.J. Feeley remains out with a fractured thumb he could barely flex a few days before the Bengals loss, and the Rams (2-12) signaled his status in this week's practice release with media availabilities for Bradford and Clemens.

The Rams held a 6-3 lead at halftime -- they've been outscored 167-88 in the first half this season -- but Clemens didn't seem too pleased with himself overall.

"When you're on the wrong end of it like we were, it's not good enough," Clemens said. "There are a lot of areas where we can improve."

St. Louis Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens (10) runs the option during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Players had the day off Monday and Spagnuolo canceled his normal news conference to dive into preparation.

Spagnuolo was satisfied with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' play calling, if not the ultimate results that spoiled another good day for a defense that has little margin for error. The Rams finally got rolling in the fourth quarter, producing 140 of their 305 yards, which topped the Bengals' total of 283.

Penalties cut into that slight advantage, raising the degree of difficulty on third down and shortening the field for the Bengals' offense. The Rams were whistled 10 times for 109 yards by an officiating crew that appeared all-too willing to drop flags, one that coaches had warned players about a day earlier. The Bengals, 8-6 and in the playoff picture, were better equipped to overcome 11 penalties for 101 yards.

With the Rams down 13-6, tackle Harvey Dahl was penalized for holding and then got an unsportsmanlike conduct call for a profane complaint while referee Jerome Boger's microphone was live, resulting in first-and-30 from the St. Louis 11 early in the fourth quarter and then a punt. Two unnecessary roughness calls in a span of three plays on linebacker Chris Chamberlain, perhaps angered after getting poked in the eye, took the Bengals to the 4 on the ensuing series, where Cedric Benson ran it in for a 20-6 lead.

James Butler kept shoving after Brandon Tate was out of bounds on a 56-yard punt return, putting Cincinnati at the 12 to set up Bernard Scott's go-ahead TD in the third.

St. Louis Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens, left, scrambles for a 1-yard gain as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson defends during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

"I'm being careful not to pass judgment," Spagnuolo said. "I did ask the referee to please try to call it both ways.

"That's all you can really ask of any officiating crew, to just be consistent. Now I'm not saying whether it was or wasn't, I'm just saying that's all I asked."

Spagnuolo wasn't sure if Dahl would have gotten the extra penalty for "disrespecting an official" if the entire stadium hadn't heard.

"You'd have to ask the referee," Spagnuolo said. "But I know this, and Harvey and I talked about it -- it does no good anyway to voice your opinion to the official after the call has been made."