| 2009 St. Louis Rams season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez |
| General manager | Billy Devaney |
| Head coach | Steve Spagnuolo |
| Home stadium | Edward Jones Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 1–15 |
| Division place | 4thNFC West |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | RBSteven Jackson |
| All-Pros | Steven Jackson(2nd team) Donnie Jones(2nd team) |
The2009 season was theSt. Louis Rams' 72nd in theNational Football League (NFL), and their 15th inSt. Louis. Due to the Rams winning only against theDetroit Lions, they finished with the NFL's worst record at 1–15, earning the first overall selection in the2010 NFL draft inSteve Spagnuolo's first season as a head coach.
The 2009 Rams scored 175 points (10.9 per game), the sixth fewest for a 16-game NFL season.[1] The Rams threw only twelve combined touchdown passes all season – including one bykickerJosh Brown.[2] QuarterbackMarc Bulger led the team with five touchdown passes.Pro Football Reference argues that the 2009 Rams[3] were the worst team fielded in the NFL since the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers of1976 and1977, having a much weaker schedule than the winless 2008 Lions.[4]
In the three seasons from2007 to 2009, the Rams won a total of six games, this being the worst record over such a period sincethe Chicago Cardinals during World War II until the2015 to2017 Cleveland Browns won only four games.
This was the first season since 1998 thatTorry Holt was not on the opening day roster.
The Rams announced thatJim Haslett would not be returning as head coach after a disastrous 2–14 finish to the 2008 season.[5] On January 16,New York Giants’ defensive coordinatorSteve Spagnuolo signed a four-year, $11.5 million deal to be their new head coach.[6]
Jason Brown, acenter who formerly played forthe Baltimore Ravens before becoming afree agent, was signed on February 27, 2009, to a five-year deal to bolster the offensive line.[7]
Ron Bartell, acornerback, signed a four-year deal on March 2, worth $13.6 million. Guaranteed, with incentives it could be as much as $28 million.[8]
James Butler, asafety, signed a four-year deal on March 10, that with incentives could be worth almost $17 million.[9]
Orlando Pace, the premieroffensive tackle in the NFL, was released by the Rams to save six million dollars insalary cap space.[10]
On March 13,wide receiverTorry Holt was released after ten seasons with the Rams.[11][12] Holt was later signed by theJacksonville Jaguars.
On May 8,Pisa Tinoisamoa, the Rams’ leading tackler in2008, was given his release.[13]
| 2009 St. Louis Rams draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Jason Smith | OT | Baylor | |
| 2 | 35 | James Laurinaitis | LB | Ohio State | |
| 3 | 66 | Bradley Fletcher | CB | Iowa | |
| 4 | 103 | Darell Scott | DT | Clemson | |
| 5 | 160 | Brooks Foster | WR | North Carolina | |
| 6 | 196 | Keith Null | QB | West Texas A&M | |
| 7 | 211 | Chris Ogbonnaya | WR | Texas | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least onePro Bowl during career | |||||
| St. Louis Rams 2009 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
| |||||
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | NFL.com recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 14 | atNew York Jets | W 23–20 | 1–0 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 21 | Atlanta Falcons | L 13–20 | 1–1 | Edward Jones Dome | Recap |
| 3 | August 27 | atCincinnati Bengals | W 24–21 | 2–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 3 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 17–9 | 3–1 | Edward Jones Dome | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text.
| NFC West | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (4)Arizona Cardinals | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 375 | 325 | L1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 5–1 | 7–5 | 330 | 281 | W2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 3–3 | 4–8 | 280 | 390 | L4 |
| St. Louis Rams | 1 | 15 | 0 | .063 | 0–6 | 1–11 | 175 | 436 | L8 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
The Rams began their season atQwest Field with a Week 1 divisional duel with theirNFC West rival,the Seattle Seahawks. After a scoreless first quarter, St. Louis trailed in the second quarter as Seahawks quarterbackMatt Hasselbeck completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight endJohn Carlson. The Rams appeared to have a game-tying touchdown after blocking a Seattle field goal by Seahawks kickerOlindo Mare late in the quarter. However, it was overturned because there were twelve Rams’ players on the field, leading to a Seahawks 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverNate Burleson. In the third quarter, Seattle continued its dominance with Hasselbeck completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Carlson, along with running backJulius Jones getting a 62-yard touchdown run. From there on out, the Seahawks’ defense helped secure a shutout win.
With this loss, the Rams began their season at 0–1.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Redskins | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
atFedEx Field,Landover, Maryland
Hoping to rebound from their shutout loss to the Seahawks, the Rams flew toFedEx Field for a Week 2 duel withthe Washington Redskins. St. Louis trailed early as Redskins kickerShaun Suisham got a 21-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Rams’ deficit increased a Suisham made a 28-yard field goal. Afterwards, St. Louis took the lead as quarterbackMarc Bulger completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverLaurent Robinson. However, Washington got their lead again as Suisham nailed a 23-yard field goal. From there on out, the Rams were unable to obtain further points.
With this loss, St. Louis fell to 0–2.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 9 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 36 |
| Rams | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
atEdward Jones Dome,St. Louis, Missouri
Still searching for their first win of the season, the Rams played their Week 3 home opener againstthe Green Bay Packers. St. Louis immediately trailed early in the first quarter as Packers kickerMason Crosby got a 48, a 38, and a 25-yard field goal. Green Bay would increase their lead in the second quarter as fullbackJohn Kuhn got a 1-yard touchdown run. The Rams would respond with the arm of quarterbackKyle Boller, as he hooked up with tight endDaniel Fells on a 16-yard touchdown pass. However, the Packers would strike back with quarterbackAaron Rodgers's 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDonald Driver. St. Louis would close out the half with Boller and Fells hooking up with each other again on a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The Rams would inch closer in the third quarter with kickerJosh Brown's 53-yard field goal. However, Green Bay would pull away in the fourth quarter as Rodgers got a 4-yard touchdown run (with a failed PAT) and completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kuhn.
With this loss, St. Louis fell to 0–3.
Starting quarterbackMarc Bulger (3-of-4, 23 yards) left the game in the second quarter with an injury to his right shoulder.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 35 |
atCandlestick Park,San Francisco
Following their home loss to the Packers, the Rams flew toCandlestick Park for a Week 4 NFC West duel with their hated rival,the San Francisco 49ers. Due to an injury toMarc Bulger, quarterbackKyle Boller got the start.
After a scoreless first quarter, St. Louis’ seasonal struggles continued on the 49ers’ second punt of the game. The ball would hit backup cornerbackQuincy Butler's foot and roll into the endzone where backup Niners linebackerScott McKillop would land on it for a touchdown. San Francisco would continue its dominating run in the third quarter with quarterbackShaun Hill hooking up on a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight endVernon Davis, followed by linebackerPatrick Willis returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers would wrap up their victory march in the fourth quarter with Hill finding wide receiverJosh Morgan on a 24-yard touchdown pass, followed by defensive tackleRay McDonald returning a fumble 11 yards for a touchdown.
With their second shutout loss of the season, the Rams fell to 0–4.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 14 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
| Rams | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
Hoping to get their first win of the season, the Rams went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and prepared for a Week 5 duel withthe Minnesota Vikings. Even though quarterbackMarc Bulger was almost back to 100% health, backup quarterbackKyle Boller got the start.
In the first quarter, St. Louis continued to struggle as Vikings running backAdrian Peterson got a 5-yard touchdown run and defensive endJared Allen returned a fumble 52 yards for a touchdown. The Rams would get on the board in the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal from kickerJosh Brown, but Minnesota came right back with kickingRyan Longwell nailing a 47-yard field goal.
The Vikings would continue to make their presence felt in the third quarter with quarterbackBrett Favre completing a 13-yard touchdown to tight endVisanthe Shiancoe. Minnesota would follow it up in the fourth quarter with Peterson's 7-yard touchdown. St. Louis tried to rally as quarterbackMarc Bulger completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDonnie Avery, but the Vikings would close out the game with running backChester Taylor's 1-yard touchdown run.
With this loss, the Rams fell to 0–5.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
| Jaguars | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 23 |
atJacksonville Municipal Stadium,Jacksonville, Florida
Still on the hunt for their first win of the season, the Rams flew toJacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 6 interconference duel withthe Jacksonville Jaguars. St. Louis got the opening charge in the first quarter with quarterbackMarc Bulger's 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDonnie Avery. The Jaguars would answer with running backMaurice Jones-Drew getting a 4-yard touchdown run (with a failed PAT). Afterwards, the Rams would get the only points of the second quarter as kickerJosh Brown nailed a 52-yard field goal.
After a scoreless third quarter, a back-and-forth quarter would ensue. Jones-Drew would help Jacksonville take the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run, yet Rams defensive endLeonard Little would return an interception 36 yards for a touchdown. Following a 3-yard touchdown run by Jones-Drew, St. Louis would tie the game with Brown's 27-yard field goal. However, in overtime, the Jaguars got the last laugh as kickerJosh Scobee booted the game-winning 36-yard field goal.
With this loss, the Rams fell to 0–6.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 14 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 42 |
| Rams | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Still trying to get their first win of the season, the Rams went home for a Week 7 interconference duel withthe Indianapolis Colts. St. Louis would trail early in the first quarter as Colts quarterbackPeyton Manning completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverReggie Wayne. The Rams would answer with a 30-yard field goal from kickerJosh Brown, but Indianapolis answered with Manning's 27-yard touchdown pass to tight endDallas Clark. Afterwards, the Colts would get the only score of the second quarter with running backJoseph Addai's 6-yard touchdown run.
St. Louis would begin the third quarter with Brown booting a 45-yard field goal, yet Indianapolis continued their domination as cornerbackJacob Lacey return an interception 35 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Colts closed out the game with Manning's 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverAustin Collie and running backChad Simpson's 35-yard touchdown run.
With this loss, the Rams fell to 0–7.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Lions | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 10 |
Still in the hunt for their first win of the season, the Rams flew toFord Field for a Week 8 duel withthe Detroit Lions. St. Louis got the game's first points in the opening quarter as kickerJosh Brown booted a 41-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Lions got on the board due to a Rams miscue. SafetyJames Butler got an interception in his endzone. He would then run out and then back in, where he would be tackled by Detroit running backKevin Smith for a safety. Afterwards, St. Louis would close out the half with a trick play. On a fake field goal attempt, Brown would complete a 36-yard touchdown pass to tight endDaniel Fells.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Lions began to rally in the fourth quarter as quarterbackMatthew Stafford got a 4-yard touchdown and completed a 2-point conversion pass to running backMaurice Morris. The Rams prevailed as running backSteven Jackson got a 25-yard touchdown run.
With this win, St. Louis snapped a seventeen-game losing streak – their previous win having been againstthe Dallas Cowboys in Week 7 of the 2008 season – and provided the first win for rookie head coachSteve Spagnuolo before the Rams entered their bye week at 1–7.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Rams | 0 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
Coming off their bye week, the Rams went home for a Week 10 duel with the undefeatedNew Orleans Saints. After a scoreless first quarter, Saints running backReggie Bush got a 3-yard touchdown run to open the scoring, but the Rams would answer when quarterbackMarc Bulger found wide receiverDonnie Avery on a 29-yard touchdown pass. Although New Orleans retook the lead with quarterbackDrew Brees’ 15-yard touchdown pass to Bush, St. Louis would close out the half with running backSteven Jackson's 2-yard touchdown run.
The Saints would deliver a huge strike in the third quarter as wide receiverCourtney Roby returned the second half's opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, yet the Rams would keep it close with kickerJosh Brown's 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New Orleans would increase their lead with Brees’ 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverRobert Meachem. St. Louis tried to rally as Bulger completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Avery (with a failed 2-point conversion), but the Saints’ defense would prevent any further progress.
With this loss, the Rams fell to 1–8.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Rams | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
atEdward Jones Dome,St. Louis, Missouri
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Saints, the Rams went home for an NFC West rivalry match againstthe Arizona Cardinals.
In the first quarter, St. Louis got on the board first with kickerJosh Brown getting a 40-yard field goal. The Rams fell behind with QBKurt Warner making a 5-yard touchdown pass to WRAnquan Boldin and then to WRLarry Fitzgerald on an 11-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. The Cardinals lead extended as rookie RBBeanie Wells made a 1-yard touchdown run to end the half.
The Rams replied in the third quarter with kickerJosh Brown making a 20-yard field goal. The Rams tried hard to come back into the game in the fourth quarter with RBSteven Jackson running 1 yard to the end zone for a touchdown, but the Cardinals’ defense prevented the case, giving the Rams another loss.
With this loss, the Rams fell to 1–9 and stay winless at home, with their home record at 0–5.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 7 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 27 |
| Rams | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
atEdward Jones Dome,St. Louis, Missouri
With this loss, the Rams fell to 1–10 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Bears | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
With this loss, the Rams fell to 1–11.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Titans | 14 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 47 |
atLP Field,Nashville, Tennessee
With this loss, the Rams fell to 1–12.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
| Rams | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
atEdward Jones Dome,St. Louis, Missouri
With this loss, the Rams fell to 1–13.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
atUniversity of Phoenix Stadium,Glendale, Arizona
With this loss, the Rams fell to 1–14.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 28 |
| Rams | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
The Rams ended their season 1–15 and clinched the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.
The Rams became the ninth team to finish a season with a 1–15 record, followingthe 2007 Dolphins. They would later on be joined by the2016 Cleveland Browns and the2020 Jacksonville Jaguars.
In the 2009 season, the Rams had three regular season games blacked out on local television. After selling out their first five games, attendance began to drop and the Rams couldn't sell out their final three games againstthe Seahawks,Texans, and49ers. In all of these instances, the Rams fell well short of a sellout and did not even ask for a deadline extension from the NFL to try to sell remaining tickets and avert a blackout. Since 2007, the Rams had only won two games at theEdward Jones Dome.
