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Seahawks 'D' has Rams' attention

Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 12 years, 3 months AGO
| September 30, 2012 9:00 PM

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Forget about that crazy ending in Seattle on Monday night. What caught Rams coach Jeff Fisher's attention was the eight sacks the Seahawks totaled in the first half against the Packers' Aaron Rodgers.

The Rams (1-2) are next up for Seattle, and they're saddled with a patchwork offensive line minus two standouts that had considerable difficulty protecting Sam Bradford last week. After surrendering six sacks in a loss to the Bears, they're looking mighty vulnerable.

Maybe, the coach joked, it's time to take the long view with his franchise quarterback.

"I thought about starting Kellen Clemens," Fisher said with a grin. "Honestly, and you can go tell him that."

Clemens definitely got a kick out of it.

"I love Fish, I love Fish," the backup said. "Let them get it all out of the way and then put Sam in. Absolutely. If I can be of use, put me out there. Put me out there. He's classic."

Bradford, who missed six games with a high ankle sprain last year, was not that amused.

"Not sure I like that idea. I sat enough last year. I didn't really enjoy that," Bradford said. "Hopefully, it doesn't come to that."

Whoever's under center today had better get the ball out fast. The game-changing final play in the Seahawks' 14-12 win over the Packers is what'll be remembered, but airtight defense got the Seahawks in position to pull out the unlikely win.

Before replacement officials ruled that Golden Tate had caught a TD pass from Russell Wilson on the final play of the game - and that it wasn't intercepted by Green Bay's M.J. Jennings - the Seahawks' pass rush was the story of the day.

Chris Clemons had four of the first-half sacks, tying the NFL record for sacks in a half set by the Chiefs' Derrick Thomas in 1992. Rookie Bruce Irvin, the Seahawks' first-round draft pick, and Brandon Mebane had two sacks apiece.

"It was like a feeding frenzy there for a while," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

The Seahawks (2-1) are allowing 13 points per game, best in the NFL, and are fourth in total defense.

Big bodies on the line - end Red Bryant and tackles Mebane and Alan Branch - are the foundation. Linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright each posted career highs for tackles against the Packers, with eight and 11 stops, respectively. Safety Kam Chancellor tied his career best with 10 stops.

"We can line up against anybody, we're going to play you well and that's just what it is," linebacker Leroy Hill said. "We match up well with a lot of good offenses in this league.

"The media wants to take the better story of the refs and the last play and that's rightfully so. In this locker room, as long as we know we're pretty good that's all that matters."

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