Rams defense better in Week 2 of preseason

ST. LOUIS -- It didn't matter that it came against a substitute-filled lineup, the St. Louis Rams were still pleased with the team's defensive improvement in the second preseason game. Regardless of who was on the other side of the line, players and coaches felt what was most important was they were in the right place to make plays in the 7-6 victory on Saturday, unlike the 34-13 drubbing they took in Nashville the previous week. "They played their butts off," tight end Randy McMichael said. "We put them in some bad spots, especially our first team, and they were able to hold them. "If the defense can keep doing that, once we get our offense together we'll be fine." A unit bolstered by first-round picks the past three years, including second overall selection Chris Long in April, could be the strength of a team that was 3-13... [read full story]