New Rams QB

The Rams are 0-4 and have a new signal caller on Sunday.

   Scott Linehan knows Gus Frerotte well. The Rams' head coach had Frerotte when he was the offensive coordinator in both Minnesota and Miami. Linehan moved quickly to sign Frerotte as the backup to Marc Bulger after being hired by the Rams in Jan. 2006.
   Now, Linehan has made the move to sit Bulger and go with Frerotte as the Rams are in an 0-4 hole and Bulger is bothered by two cracked ribs and a bruised knee.
   "That's why Gus is here," Linehan said when asked about having a veteran backup and someone with whom you have experience. "That's why he was one of the first guys I wanted to bring here, knowing that Marc's our quarterback, but also you're one injury away from having your second-string quarterback be your starter. It's very important. It's a little less comforting knowing you have a good young player (as your backup) that still does not have any proven snaps in this league. You're seeing really exactly why he's here."
   Linehan knows Frerotte can do the job, and sometimes do it under adverse conditions.
   "Said Linehan, He was 9-6 for me in Miami in his first year as a starter for me full time. He was 3-0 for me in Minnesota in 2003 when Daunte (Culpepper) got hurt. To me he's a proven quarterback in this league and he has proven leadership skills to step in as a backup and have the credibility in that huddle to get the job done.
   "Even better yet, he understands his role; he knows what he's being asked to do. The best part about this is the first person he's going to talk to and explain as to why we're in this situation, because he's done it, is Marc. He's been through that and done it for me when Daunte was hurt in '03 and I'm calling upon him to do it again here."
   Said Frerotte, "It brings back memories. I think it'll be good. Somehow something needs to change and we made several changes this week. Hopefully it'll show up on Sunday."
   One of those other changes was Linehan taking over the play-calling from offensive coordinator Greg Olson. Part of the change is attributed to the two having worked together.
   "I just know how he calls plays," Frerotte said. "He hasn't done it in a while, so it'll be interesting to see how he's going to be, but I really assume it's going to be the same as it was in the past being with him in Minnesota and Miami and how he likes to do things. Hopefully it'll go pretty smoothly."
   When asked about Frerotte possibly being rusty, Linehan said, "He hasn't played, but the great thing about Gus is he takes all the snaps on the show team, which is not that common for the backup. A lot of times the three does that a number of places. He takes every snap, so he gets himself ready. We give him at least two snaps of each team period during the week anyway just because we're trying to prepare our backups and especially our quarterback.
   "I'll never forget I think in '03 when Daunte got hurt against Detroit right before halftime, the first plays that Gus came we basically ran all go three plays in a row and he threw the ball 65 yards in the air three times and one of them he hit Moss down the sideline and he never even warmed up. If you remember last year he came in against San Francisco and it was right before half and we were just trying to get in position to take a shot on a field goal and he threw three balls down the field - never even warmed up.
   "The guy just has the ability and that knack. He's very comfortable in the huddle, very comfortable with the team and in the pocket. I go back to my experience in Miami with a football team that there was very little expectation for and I just remember what he was able to do for that football team and how he kept us in business every week. We finished the season with six straight wins that year, which was a phenomenal finish, and Gus played very, very well for us, so I have a lot of confidence in him."