ST. LOUIS -- Maybe the St. Louis Rams made their own luck.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Monday game tape showed defensive end James Hall getting a piece of Cleveland's blown field goal near the end of the Rams' 13-12 victory over the Browns a day earlier. Spagnuolo said tackle Gary Gibson had good penetration on the line and the Browns' timing was off, a combination that allowed Hall to deflect the ball with his right forearm.
"We know the timing of their kick was not perfect," Spagnuolo said. "I'm not so sure with all the mishandling they had it might have still gone through. I'm not so sure it might knuckleball through there."
Attention focused on the snap from Ryan Pontbriand that glanced off a lineman's leg and then fluttered back to holder Brad Maynard. He still got the ball placed, but Phil Dawson's kick hooked left.
"I've never been a part of a game that ended like that," quarterback Sam Bradford said.
Replays appeared to indicate Hall moved before the snap, but after there was movement on the Browns line. Whether the Browns center double-clutched on the snap, Spagnuolo will take it. So will players, who got a rare day off Monday after the Rams improved to 2-7 headed into Sunday's home game against NFC West foe Seattle (3-6).
"You get what you earn in this league," guard Harvey Dahl said after the game. "We aren't happy with our record, but we come to work every day and try to get better."
The Rams lost cornerback Al Harris and tight end Mike Hoomanawanui for the season, both sidelined by torn ACLs during Sunday's game. The 37-year-old Harris was signed after starting cornerbacks Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher were lost for the year. "I'm crushed by that one," Spagnuolo said. "He's been a terrific addition in a lot of ways." ... OL Rodger Saffold was hurt by a blow to the head, but could be back this week after being judged symptom-free on Monday. ... OL Jason Smith is likely to miss his fourth straight game with a concussion after symptoms returned when he worked out on Monday. ... Running back Cadillac Williams injured his calf trotting onto the field to spell Steven Jackson.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
