Rams have too many playmakers

  • By Todd Fredrickson / Herald Writer
  • Saturday, January 8, 2005 9:00pm
  • Sports

SEATTLE – It would be one thing if the Seattle Seahawks kept getting their hearts broken by the St. Louis Rams’ star players.

You know, a Marshall Faulk touchdown run or a long pass to Isaac Bruce or Torry Holt, something like that.

But for the second time this season, it was the other guys who sparked the Rams to a come-from-behind victory at Qwest Field.

In fact, the winning touchdown in St. Louis’ 27-20 victory on Saturday came from a backup tight end from Sedro-Woolley who had never even scored a touchdown for the Rams, let alone the winning points in an NFL playoff game.

“I lead the team in practice Friday touchdowns,” said tight end Cameron Cleeland, a former University of Washington Husky whose 17-yard touchdown reception with 2:11 remaining was the decisive score. “It’s pretty surreal to do it in front of family and friends in a game like this. I’ve been waiting for one for years.

“You never know when your number’s going to get called,” said Cleeland, who scored 12 touchdowns in four seasons with New Orleans but hadn’t scored since joining the Rams last season. “It’s the standard cliche, but you just never know.”

The Rams seem to be loaded with those kind of guys, unlike the Seahawks, whose receivers seem to drop as many critical passes as they catch.

Wide receiver Shaun McDonald ignited the Rams’ game-winning drive with a 31-yard reception on third down – his only catch of the day – and on the next play wide receiver Kevin Curtis had a 13-yard reception to get the Rams into scoring territory.

Curtis finished with four catches from quarterback Marc Bulger for a career-high 107 yards.

He and McDonald, a pair of second-year players, each had a long touchdown reception during the Rams’ incredible rally for a 33-27 overtime victory here during the regular season.

“Having Isaac and Torry, two guys like that, that’s going to grab the defense’s attention, so it’s just a matter of catching them off guard,” Curtis said. “I don’t know if it’s Seattle’s defense or coincidence, but any time I can contribute, it feels good.”

The big play to McDonald came with the score tied 20-20 and the Rams facing third-and-2 from their own 32-yard line with about five minutes left. In a play they usually run to Faulk, the intended receiver goes in motion to the right and runs a quick out pattern while all the other receivers slant to the left.

Rams coach Mike Martz said he redesigned it for McDonald this week to combine an element of surprise with McDonald’s blazing speed. When McDonald caught the ball wide open in the right flat and sprinted 31 yards down the right sideline, Martz had his payoff.

“I was hoping I would get involved,” said McDonald, who had the game-winning 52-yard touchdown reception in overtime in the first meeting this season. “Kevin (Curtis) was making plays all game … so I was kind of sitting back waiting for my time, and my time came.”

Martz said he never hesitates to go to his younger guys in critical situations.

“You don’t think about that stuff. I don’t think about who they are,” Martz said. “The best thing I can say about this team is you never doubt that the guy’s going to make the play. That never enters my mind.”

Boy, wouldn’t Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren like to have that feeling?

Instead, he has a team whose receivers dropped five more passes Saturday for an unofficial season total of 43.

And he has a team that has lost three games to the Rams this season, four straight overall, and five times in seven meetings since Seattle joined the NFC West in 2002.

The Seahawks may have won the division title this season, but there is little doubt about who rules.

And McDonald, for one, didn’t hesitate to say so.

“We were real confident. When I found out we were playing Seattle, I knew we had a great chance of winning this game,” he said. “We feel like we’re the best team in the division.”

Martz, on the other hand, would have nothing to do with the suggestion that the Rams hold some kind of spell over Holmgren and the Seahawks.

“No that’s not the case,” Martz said. “I think it’s just two good teams going at it. It’s very competitive.”

He said he has the highest respect for Holmgren as a coach.

“He’s won the Super Bowl. He’s as good as it gets, so I don’t know how you could criticize him after this one,” Martz said. “They did win the division, you know, and they won it fair and square.”

But they lost to the Rams, again.

No matter who the Rams go to when it counts.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh (29) of the Seattle Mariners bats during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Cal Raleigh named AL Player of the Week

Major League Baseball announced today that catcher Cal Raleigh has… Continue reading

Moore: Ranking the all-time best Seattle sports radio shows

Sports radio shows in Seattle started in the 1970’s, typically at night,… Continue reading

Storm three games over .500 near the halfway point

Star forward Nneka Ogwumike was voted an All-Star starter Monday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.