What happened for the Rams in the first half happened exactly one time last season.  The Rams scored 21 points in an impressive first half of football and held on to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 24-21 in a relatively impressive preseason win.  The Rams spent more time in the Bengals backfield than some of their running backs forcing the Bengals offense into giving up six sacks in what was easily the most impressive performance by the defense this preseason.  Here is a rundown of what went right and what went wrong in the Rams second win in August.....

Things That Went Right For The Rams

Huge Defensive Improvement: After the Rams were completely run over by the Falcons last Friday all of the red flags were up.  Was this defense going to just lie down against the run again.  The answer tonight was an emphatic NO.  Granted the Cincinnati Bengals are not anywhere near as good as the Falcons are, but the Rams needed to show that they are not going to let every team run them over.  The Rams recorded an impressive six sacks this evening and were adequate against the run.  It looked like the Rams were blitzing a lot more this evening and even though they paid for that at points in tonight's game it was exciting to see the Rams causing havoc in the Bengals backfield.

Turnovers: The clearest indicator of a team winning or losing a football game is looking at the turnover ratio at the end of the game.  The Rams committed 0 turnovers and forced the Bengals into 4.  Very rarely does a team lose a game when they are +4 in the turnover battle.  If the Rams can continue to be aggressive and force turnovers they will have a chance to have some success in 2009.

James Laurinaitis:  Although this wasn't a true regular season test you just can't help but continue to be impressed by James Laurinaitis' play at middle linebacker.  He is constantly around the football and again got a turnover.  I was one who openly questioned his selection over Rey Maualuga who was later selected by the Bengals.  Tonight is not going to ultimately decide which decision was the right one but it is clear as we sit here in August that Laurinaitis is ahead of Maualuga and will make a bigger impact in the NFL in 2009.

James Butler: He was one of the Rams big free agent splashes in the offseason and it was nice to see James Butler make a big play against the Bengals.  Butler picked up a fumble and ran all over the field to score a 73 yard touchdown.  Butler is expected to help solidify a defensive backfield that has needed help at the safety position.  Thursday night was a positive sign.

Samkon Gado: After the performance Gado had against the Falcons I thought he might be in trouble for making the team.  I don't think he has to worry about that now.  Gado had a terrific game with 33 yards rushing on 5 carries and scored on a very nice 16 yard touchdown run.  I don't know that Gado has solidifyed the number two spot but between his versatility to play both halfback and fullback and being able to return kickoffs Gado looks to be safe the rest of the way.

What Went Wrong For The Rams:

Special Teams: This was by far the worst part of the game for the Rams.  On top of not being able to return a kickoff or a punt for any considerable yardage, which seems to be status quo for this organization, they had breakdowns in the coverage units tonight.  The Rams gave up a 49 yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter.  They later gave up a 44 yard punt return that Donnie Jones slowed down enough to avoid another touchdown.  It was so bad tonight for the special teams that even the reliable Josh Brown was missing field goals.  A horrible night for the special teams.  Let's hope that was just an aberration.

Offensive Performance: The Rams were +4 on turnovers and only converted one of those into a touchdown.  Some could say that the Rams did not make any mistakes offensively and that was good enough.  What I don't see out there is a lot of playmaking out of Kyle Boller.  I understand that is the preseason and you are not going to show your playbook but it is discouraging that the Rams aren't a little more dangerous on offense.  Boller was 14/20 96 yards.  That tells you that it is just a dink and dunk offense right now.  I hope that the Rams are not going to play like that once they get Jackson going for real and that will loosen up the opposing team's defensive backs.

Jason Smith:  I have been a staunch supporter of Jason Smith being ready to go on opening day in Seattle but I am beginning to waver on that statement.  Smith continues to look tentative to me and that is one thing you can't be in the NFL.  Especially when you are the number two pick in the entire draft.  I don't agree with Spagnuolo playing Smith on the left side tonight.  He needs to be a right tackle or a left tackle in 2009.  Stick him there and live with the consequences.  I don't believe he should be bouncing from one side to the other when clearly he is having trouble adjusting to the NFL game.  Get Smith right at one position and then you can worry about him being versatile enough to play both.

Overall it was a pretty good night for the Rams.  A very good night defensively.  A so-so night offensively.  A pathetic night on special teams.  It looks like the Rams got through this game pretty healthy which is always a plus.  Next week the Rams will play the Chiefs in what is always the weirdest preseason game for every NFL team, the dreaded final preseason game.  The Rams will have to make some decisions this week as Marc Bulger, Donnie Avery and Adam Carriker are all on the way back from injury.

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