Wade Phillips up-front about team’s run-defense strugglesBy RICH HAMMOND
THOUSAND OAKS — Like any good defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips anticipated Tuesday’s attack.
“What’s wrong with the run defense, right?” Phillips deadpanned, moments after he reached the podium to start his weekly news conference. “We’re upset about that, but we’re going to do something about it.”
Phillips, with 40 years of experience in the NFL, knew better than to sugarcoat anything. The Rams were cotton-soft Sunday, when they allowed 229 rushing yards in a loss to Washington. No opponent had run more on the Rams since November 2011, when Arizona put up 268 yards.
“Well, it’s all on coaching, number one,” Phillips said. “If we didn’t play well, it’s me.”
Things were supposed to be different. Phillips arrived in January with a reputation for being a turnaround wizard, and expectations were raised further in the season opener against Indianapolis, when the Rams defense dominated all facets of the game. But was that impressive effort a mirage?
Now the Rams (1-1) must prepare for Thursday’s game against San Francisco, and a 49ers team that shockingly ran for 159 yards against a Seattle defense that typically is stout against the run.
“They’ve got to be licking their chops,” Phillips said of the 49ers.
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