NFL NOTES

RAMS

Bradford gets sack time

ST. LOUIS - Sam Bradford has never cared much for numbers and statistics.

So the St. Louis Rams quarterback was surprised to find out he has been sacked in 30 successive games, the longest current streak in the NFL.

“That’s great to know, thanks,” he chuckled.

Bradford, the top overall pick in the 2010 draft, has endured his share of bumps and bruises this season. He has been sacked 35 times for 233 yards in losses. On Sunday, he was sacked four times for 32 yards in a 36-22 loss to Minnesota that all but eliminated the Rams from postseason contention.

The last time the Oklahoma product escaped a game unscathed was Nov. 21, 2010 in a 34-17 loss to Atlanta.

The sack string doesn’t bother Bradford, although he would obviously like to see it end as soon as possible. The Rams (6-7-1) close the season on the road at Tampa Bay and Seattle.

“When you don’t get sacked in a game that means that the protection is good, that the ball came out quick,” he said. “It’s a team effort to eliminate sacks. And that’s something we work for each week. If we can get through these next two games with no sacks, that would be awesome.”

Bradford was trapped by Minnesota lineman Brian Robison on his second pass attempt Sunday. He was also sacked twice in the same series in the second quarter.

Bradford rebounded nicely in the second half, hitting on 21 of 32 passes for 229 yards, one of his best two-quarter performances of the season. He was sacked only once over the final two quarters and finished the game with a career-high 377 yards passing.

Bradford, 25, shoulders much of the blame for the sacks, partly in an effort to deflect criticism from his offensive line.

Although Bradford wasn’t aware of his dubious sacks string, several of his offensive linemen were. Tackle Rodger Saffold says the line would like nothing better than to help Bradford record a clean sheet in each of the last two games.

“Overall, I think we’ve done a pretty job of protecting him,” Saffold said. “It would be, like, just one sack here and that would ruin it.” DOLPHINS Thomas goes on IR

DAVIE, Fla. - Miami Dolphins backup running back Daniel Thomas was placed on injured reserve Wednesday because of a knee injury, and three ailing starters missed practice.

The Dolphins signed defensive back Julian Posey from the practice squad to take Thomas’ roster spot.

Thomas was hurt in Sunday’s victory overJacksonville. He ranks second on the team with 325 yards rushing, averaging 3.6 yards per carry and scoring four touchdowns.

Missing practice were receiver Davone Bess (back), linebacker Koa Misi (ankle) and cornerback Nolan Carroll (knee). Receiver Brian Hartline (back) was limited.

The Dolphins (6-8), still harboring slight playoff hopes, face Buffalo (5-9) on Sunday.

EAGLES McCoy will return, start

PHILADELPHIA - LeSean McCoy could watch from the sideline, continue his recovery from a concussion and return next year when the games matter to the Philadelphia Eagles.

He’s not wired that way.

“I don’t live like that, just taking off,” Mc-Coy said Wednesday. “I’m a competitor, and I’m going to finish the season out.”

McCoy will start at running back against Washington (8-6) on Sunday in his first game back after missing four because of a severe concussion. The Eagles (4-10) are playing out the string in another disappointing season, so it would’ve been understandable if McCoy just sat out the last two games after a serious head injury.

But McCoy wants to play, no matter the score, situation or circumstance. He was injured in the final minutes of a blowout loss to the Redskins on Nov. 18. Still, he defended Coach Andy Reid’s decision tokeep him in the game that late with the outcome already decided.

“Even when I got hurt, people blamed Coach for a bit,” McCoy said, “but I want to be in there.”

Rookie Bryce Brown filled in nicely for McCoy, running for 347 yards and four touchdowns in his first two career starts. But Brown had just 40 yards in the next two games and fumbled four times in four games.

JETS Rookie Hill placed on IR

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The New York Jets have placed rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill on injured reserve, ending his season because of a knee injury.

Hill, the Jets’ second-round pick in April out of Georgia Tech, sprained the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in the team’s game at Jacksonville on Dec. 9. He did not travel with the Jets for their game at Tennessee Monday night.

Hill started his season off strong with five catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against Buffalo, but struggled with a strained right hamstring and didn’t record another reception until five weeks later. He finished with 21 catches for 252 yards and three scores.

The Jets promoted defensive back Donnie Fletcher from the practice squad Wednesday to take Hill’s roster spot.

Sports, Pages 14 on 12/20/2012

Upcoming Events