St. Louis Rams Week 7 Report Card: Giving a Pass or Fail to Every Unit

The St. Louis Rams got destroyed by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7, allowing rookie running back DeMarco Murray to run wild and break all kinds of records. It was a pathetic performance, made worse by the fact that starting quarterback Sam Bradford didn't play.

Bradford missed his first professional game due to injury with a high ankle sprain.

Here are my grades for the Rams this week, and let me warn you, it ain't pretty!

QB: A.J. Feeley

With Bradford out, Feeley stepped in and did a halfway decent job. The numbers will tell you he was 20-of-33 for 196 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. 

Feeley actually played okay, but since this is a pass or fail assignment, I have to flunk Feeley. Simply put, it's his job to put points on the board for the Rams, and on Sunday, the Rams only managed to score seven points.

GRADE: FAIL

Running Back

Jackson ran hard against a stacked defense. The Cowboys knew the Rams couldn't pass the ball, so they just loaded up against Jackson. He still managed just 70 yards on 18 carries, including the Rams' lone touchdown. 

However, this is a grade for the position group. Cadillac Williams ran the ball twice for one measly yard, and he also had a fumble.

GRADE: FAIL

Receivers & Tight Ends

Brandon Lloyd is a good player, and he reminded all Rams' fans what a real NFL wide receiver looks like. If the Rams can get Mark Clayton healthy...

Well, I'll save that talk for next week.

Lloyd had six catches for 74 yards, and that was with Feeley throwing the passes. Illinois Mike caught three passes for 44 yards, so it was nice of him to show up. But Lance Kendricks didn't catch a single pass. No other Rams' receiver even totaled 40 receiving yards.

Pathetic.

GRADE: FAIL, FAIL, FAIL

Offensive Line

Jason Smith got hurt, but it looks like he is going to be okay. That is the good news. Also, the Rams' O-line only allowed one sack, which is a sign of improvement by the big guys up front.

So for once, this season, I'm going to throw a little praise on the big guys.

GRADE: PASS

Defensive Secondary

I think Darian Stewart is going to be a good player for the Rams. I like what Quintin Mickell brings to the table. The problem is, the Rams have been through seven different corner backs since the start of the season. That makes it tough when you have to go play Tony Romo, right?

Not so fast. The Rams actually held up pretty well against the pass on Sunday. Romo was 14-of-24 for 166 yards and two touchdowns.  It's not like he lit the Rams up.  He didn't have to. 

He let DeMarco Murray do that.

So today, I have to call it like I see it, and the Rams' secondary didn't play terrible.

GRADE: PASS

Linebackers

The Rams linebackers are getting worse. Come on, James Laurinaitis, you guys have to step up. When you allow 294 total rushing yards, and you make DeMarco Murray look like Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett put together, then I don't even have to say anything else.

GRADE: FAIL, FAIL, FAIL

Defensive Line

The Rams' D-line had two sacks, but again, DeMarco Murray...

I'm not even going to say anything else. It's just embarrassing how poorly this defense is playing, and it all starts up front.

GRADE: FAIL