Fisher's Rams aren't blowing their own horns after 3-1 start

With a powerful defense leading an offense that did just enough to win, the Rams from Los Angeles are a starting 3-1 in their season back home.

However, they are not to blow their own horns just yet ,.

Coach Jeff Fisher especially noticed problems Rams Monday when he re-watched a gritty 17-13 victory in Arizona. Los Angeles is only the third of three consecutive victories in the last decade for a franchise long struggle, but Fisher happy person sees on his improbable first place team.

'' You need to take a hard look at it, and we did, Fisher said. '' We have a lot of room for improvement offensively and defensively. Too big games (left) to the defense. The struggles against the run. The lack of a running game offensively and an inability to pick up points when we arrived in the midfield. The players understand. They were very receptive today where we are. ''

But last victory was clearly satisfactory Fisher because it came at the expense of rival Cardinals, the NFC West champions last season. Missouri passage to California has not made everyone forget that the coach of the Arizona Bruce Arians has piqued the Rams in seasons past, calling them '' a team that is still 8-8 '' and '' this team does not please us. ''

Fisher confirmed tell his players in the locker room that Sunday's victory was an early 'Christmas present' 'for the Cardinals (1-3), who visit the Coliseum on New Year's Day for a rematch in the final of the regular season.

'' I congratulate the players. I wanted them to know what a great victory it was, '' Fisher said dryly. '' Often Coach Arians is complimented his players from the same perspective, we just wanted to let them know that this is a big win for us, so we'll see after Christmas. Merry Christmas.''

And while praising the coaching staff of the Buffalo Bills, their next opponent, Fisher seemed to slip into a sly shot on the cards.


'' (Buffalo is) a well-trained team, said Fisher. '' They play good special teams. They are in special teams, unlike some other teams we have faced. ''

Fisher did not say which teams, but the Cardinals have been a series of special-teams disasters this season. Los Angeles Tavon Austin returned a punt 47 yards to the Arizona and drew a mask penalty with 5:09 to play Sunday, putting the Rams in position for landing receiving go-ahead from Brian Quick .

Special teams The Rams were virtually flawless in their first 3-1 start since 2006, and they finished the three games with big defensive plays, including game ending interception Trumaine Johnson in the area end Arizona.

Fisher sees these narrow escapes as reasons for concern, but also signs of improvement.

'' It is not easy, but around the league, there are some good teams that do not have the same record that we do, Fisher said. '' Find Ways to win at the end is very important. It takes you a long way. ''

Fisher also has no concerns about Todd Gurley, who has 216 yards rushing in the first four games of the Rams. He sees general faults in the running game the Rams, not in the Rookie of the approach of the year.

'' The scrimmage was full of Cardinals yesterday and we knew that, '' Fisher said. '' That's why we have our games on the field. But we are close. He is in good health. He is fine. We'll just put a good overall plan this week. ''

The Bills (2-2) visit Sunday for the second of two games of the Rams at the Coliseum in the first eight weeks of the NFL season. Even with so few opportunities to make a good impression on their fans, they have always had the town talking.

'' We look forward to being home, said Fisher, whose team still has to go to Detroit and London this month. '' For a long time. ''