The 2009 season was the St. Louis Rams' 72nd in the National Football League (NFL), and their 15th in St. Louis. Due to the Rams winning only against the Detroit Lions, they finished with the NFL's worst record at 1–15, earning the first overall selection in the 2010 NFL draft in Steve Spagnuolo's first season as a head coach.
The 2009 Rams scored 175 points (10.9 per game), the sixth fewest for a 16-game NFL season.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points For. The Rams threw only twelve combined touchdown passes all season – including one by kicker Josh Brown.2009 St. Louis Rams Quarterback Marc Bulger led the team with five touchdown passes. Pro Football Reference argues that the 2009 RamsPro Football Reference; Rams Franchise Encyclopedia were the worst team fielded in the NFL since the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers of 1976 and 1977, having a much weaker schedule than the winless 2008 Lions.Pro Football Reference; Detroit Lions Franchise Encyclopedia
In the three seasons from 2007 to 2009, the Rams won a total of six games, this being the worst record over such a period since the Chicago Cardinals during World War II until the 2015 to 2017 Cleveland Browns won only four games.
This was the first season since 1998 that Torry Holt was not on the opening day roster.
Offseason Player movement The Rams announced that Jim Haslett would not be returning as head coach after a disastrous 2–14 finish to the 2008 season. On January 16, New York Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo signed a four-year, $11.5 million deal to be their new head coach.Rams hire Spagnuolo to be head coach, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 17, 2009.
Jason Brown, a center who formerly played for the Baltimore Ravens before becoming a free agent, was signed on February 27, 2009, to a five-year deal to bolster the offensive line.Rams Agree with Brown, Working on Butler, Bartell , St. Louis Rams (February 27, 2009)
Ron Bartell, a cornerback, signed a four-year deal on March 2, worth $13.6 million. Guaranteed, with incentives it could be as much as $28 million.
James Butler, a safety, signed a four-year deal on March 10, that with incentives could be worth almost $17 million.St. Louis Rams get James Butler at safety, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 10, 2009
Orlando Pace, the premier offensive tackle in the NFL, was released by the Rams to save six million dollars in salary cap space.Orlando Pace released by St. Louis Rams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 10, 2009. Accessed 2009-03-14. Archived 2009-08-14.
On March 13, wide receiver Torry Holt was released after ten seasons with the Rams.Don’t cry over Holt: he had to go, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 13, 2009A true professional, Holt will be missed, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 14, 2009 Holt was later signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On May 8, Pisa Tinoisamoa, the Rams’ leading tackler in 2008, was given his release.In surprise move, Rams release leading tackler Tinoisamoa, NFL.com, May 8, 2009
Draft
Undrafted free agents Name Position College Roger Allen Guard Missouri Western State K. C. Asiodu Linebacker Central Oklahoma Jarrett Byers Wide receiver Northeastern State Ian Campbell Defensive linemen Kansas State Dominic Douglas Linebacker Mississippi State Ray Feinga Guard BYU Jerome Johnson Fullback Nevada Mike Newkirk Defensive tackle Wisconsin Cord Parks Cornerback Northeastern Kirston Pittman Defensive linemen LSU Mark Rubin Safety Penn State Daniel Sanders Center Colorado Phil Trautwein Tackle Florida
Staff St. Louis Rams 2009 staff Front office Owner/chairman – Chip Rosenbloom Owner/vice chairman – Stan Kroenke Executive vice president of football operations/coo – Kevin Demoff general manager – Billy Devaney Vice president of player personnel – Tony Softli Director of player personnel – Lawrence McCutcheon Director of pro personnel – Mike Williams
Head coaches Head coach – Steve Spagnuolo Assistant head coach/quarterbacks – Dick Curl
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Pat Shurmur Running backs – Sylvester Croom Wide receivers – Charlie Baggett Tight ends – Frank Leonard Offensive line – Steve Loney Assistant offensive line – Art Valero Quality control/offense – Andy Sugarman Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Ken Flajole Defensive line – Brendan Daly Linebackers – Paul Ferraro Defensive backs/cornerbacks – Clayton Lopez Defensive backs/safeties – Andre Curtis Quality control/defense – Matt House
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Tom McMahon Quality control/special teams – Derius Swinton
Strength and conditioning Strength – Rock Gullickson Assistant strength – Chuck Faucette
Final roster
Schedule Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 August 14 at New York Jets W 23–20 1–0 Giants Stadium Recap 2 August 21 Atlanta Falcons L 13–20 1–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap 3August 27 at Cincinnati Bengals W 24–21 2–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap 4 September 3 Kansas City Chiefs W 17–9 3–1 Edward Jones Dome Recap
Regular season Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue NFL.comrecap 1 September 13 at Seattle Seahawks L 0–28 0–1 Qwest Field Recap 2 September 20 at Washington Redskins L 7–9 0–2 FedExField Recap 3 September 27 Green Bay Packers L 17–36 0–3 Edward Jones Dome Recap 4 October 4 at San Francisco 49ers L 0–35 0–4 Candlestick Park Recap 5 October 11 Minnesota Vikings L 10–38 0–5 Edward Jones Dome Recap 6 October 18 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 20–23 0–6 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Recap 7 October 25 Indianapolis Colts L 6–42 0–7 Edward Jones Dome Recap 8 November 1 at Detroit Lions W 17–10 1–7 Ford Field Recap 9Bye 10 November 15 New Orleans Saints L 23–28 1–8 Edward Jones Dome Recap 11 November 22 Arizona Cardinals L 13–21 1–9 Edward Jones Dome Recap 12 November 29 Seattle Seahawks L 17–27 1–10 Edward Jones Dome Recap 13 December 6 at Chicago Bears L 9–17 1–11 Soldier Field Recap 14 December 13 at Tennessee Titans L 7–47 1–12 LP Field Recap 15 December 20 Houston Texans L 13–16 1–13 Edward Jones Dome Recap 16 December 27 at Arizona Cardinals L 10–31 1–14 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 17 January 3, 2010 San Francisco 49ers L 6–28 1–15 Edward Jones Dome Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Regular season summaries Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks
The Rams began their season at Qwest Field with a Week 1 divisional duel with their NFC West rival, the Seattle Seahawks. After a scoreless first quarter, St. Louis trailed in the second quarter as Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Carlson. The Rams appeared to have a game-tying touchdown after blocking a Seattle field goal by Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare late in the quarter. However, it was overturned because there were twelve Rams’ players on the field, leading to a Seahawks 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nate Burleson. In the third quarter, Seattle continued its dominance with Hasselbeck completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Carlson, along with running back Julius Jones getting a 62-yard touchdown run. From there on out, the Seahawks’ defense helped secure a shutout win.
With this loss, the Rams began their season at 0–1.
Week 2: at Washington Redskins
Hoping to rebound from their shutout loss to the Seahawks, the Rams flew to FedEx Field for a Week 2 duel with the Washington Redskins. St. Louis trailed early as Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham got a 21-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Rams’ deficit increased a Suisham made a 28-yard field goal. Afterwards, St. Louis took the lead as quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Laurent Robinson. However, Washington got their lead again as Suisham nailed a 23-yard field goal. From there on out, the Rams were unable to obtain further points.
With this loss, St. Louis fell to 0–2.
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers
Still searching for their first win of the season, the Rams played their Week 3 home opener against the Green Bay Packers. St. Louis immediately trailed early in the first quarter as Packers kicker Mason Crosby got a 48, a 38, and a 25-yard field goal. Green Bay would increase their lead in the second quarter as fullback John Kuhn got a 1-yard touchdown run. The Rams would respond with the arm of quarterback Kyle Boller, as he hooked up with tight end Daniel Fells on a 16-yard touchdown pass. However, the Packers would strike back with quarterback Aaron Rodgers's 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donald Driver. St. Louis would close out the half with Boller and Fells hooking up with each other again on a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The Rams would inch closer in the third quarter with kicker Josh Brown's 53-yard field goal. However, Green Bay would pull away in the fourth quarter as Rodgers got a 4-yard touchdown run (with a failed PAT) and completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kuhn.
With this loss, St. Louis fell to 0–3.
Starting quarterback Marc Bulger (3-of-4, 23 yards) left the game in the second quarter with an injury to his right shoulder.
Week 4: at San Francisco 49ers
Following their home loss to the Packers, the Rams flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 4 NFC West duel with their hated rival, the San Francisco 49ers. Due to an injury to Marc Bulger, quarterback Kyle Boller got the start.
After a scoreless first quarter, St. Louis’ seasonal struggles continued on the 49ers’ second punt of the game. The ball would hit backup cornerback Quincy Butler's foot and roll into the endzone where backup Niners linebacker Scott McKillop would land on it for a touchdown. San Francisco would continue its dominating run in the third quarter with quarterback Shaun Hill hooking up on a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis, followed by linebacker Patrick Willis returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers would wrap up their victory march in the fourth quarter with Hill finding wide receiver Josh Morgan on a 24-yard touchdown pass, followed by defensive tackle Ray McDonald returning a fumble 11 yards for a touchdown.
With their second shutout loss of the season, the Rams fell to 0–4.
Week 5: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Hoping to get their first win of the season, the Rams went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and prepared for a Week 5 duel with the Minnesota Vikings. Even though quarterback Marc Bulger was almost back to 100% health, backup quarterback Kyle Boller got the start.
In the first quarter, St. Louis continued to struggle as Vikings running back Adrian Peterson got a 5-yard touchdown run and defensive end Jared Allen returned a fumble 52 yards for a touchdown. The Rams would get on the board in the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal from kicker Josh Brown, but Minnesota came right back with kicking Ryan Longwell nailing a 47-yard field goal.
The Vikings would continue to make their presence felt in the third quarter with quarterback Brett Favre completing a 13-yard touchdown to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Minnesota would follow it up in the fourth quarter with Peterson's 7-yard touchdown. St. Louis tried to rally as quarterback Marc Bulger completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donnie Avery, but the Vikings would close out the game with running back Chester Taylor's 1-yard touchdown run.
With this loss, the Rams fell to 0–5.
Week 6: at Jacksonville Jaguars