Rams' Fisher anxious to turn page after frustrating loss to 49ers
ST. LOUIS -- Considering the St. Louis Rams had a two-touchdown lead and lost by two TDs, coach Jeff Fisher found a lot to like in Monday's 31-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Fisher accentuated the positives heading to a short week and with the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks up next. He said he'd finished reviewing the defeat by Tuesday morning.
"There were some really, really outstanding individual efforts on some individual plays, so we have to take those positive and move forward," Fisher said. "We'll bounce back."
It's likely getting more difficult for the Rams (1-4), who are struggling to get wins.
They're 0-3 at home, also getting routed by Minnesota in the opener and blowing a three-TD lead against Dallas. They spotted the Eagles a 27-point cushion and nearly rallied for the win.
Quarterback Austin Davis took the blame for Dontae Johnson's interception returned for a touchdown that sealed the loss with less than a minute to go.
"I feel like this one's really on me," Davis said. "I've got to find a way to lead this team."
The biggest positives out of the latest loss perhaps were decent starting debuts by first-round picks Greg Robinson and Aaron Donald.
Fisher said Robinson, who'd been limited to special teams duty in the first four games, didn't have any "significant issues" at guard, and that Donald might have been the best defensive lineman on the field.
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Third-round pick Tre Mason also played for the first time and began his career with a 24-yard carry. Fisher said he may stay with a three-back rotation this week with Mason joining Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham.
The Rams also got out of the game fairly clean from an injury standpoint with backup offensive lineman Tim Barnes the lone concern with an injury to a shoulder and rib cage.
Fisher said Barrett Jones, a fourth-round pick last year coming off back surgery, could be ready to play this week.
After a big first quarter, the Rams were shut down. Fisher wasn't blaming Davis, who was sacked five times and appeared a bit flustered, saying he did "OK" and was still progressing.
The defense struggled near the end of the half when cornerback Janoris Jenkins was faked out by an early move and chased Brandon Lloyd the last half of an 80-yard touchdown that cut St. Louis' lead to 14-10 and gave the 49ers confidence heading into the locker room.
Fisher said play-calling was at least partly to blame. The Rams were in a three-deep prevent zone but Jenkins, who declined to meet with reporters after the game, tried to make a big play.
The Rams have been short on big plays, remaining stuck on one sack for the season. They settled for putting some pressure on Colin Kaepernick, who passed for 343 yards and three touchdowns.
"Colin was rattled a little bit," end Robert Quinn said. `"If he gets out a little bit, he can eat up some ground. You've got to keep him in that pocket and make him become a pure passer."
The outcome might have been different if tight end Jared Cook hadn't been whistled for offensive holding, negating a 21-yard gain to the 49ers 25-yard line with less than three minutes to go in the half.
Fisher disagreed with the call.
The Rams ended up punting, backing up the 49ers at their 5. Then Jenkins failed to cover Lloyd.
"If that penalty's not called, there's points," Fisher said. "You would assume that the chain of events (is) probably significantly different at the end of the half."
